Omar Bogle speaks on being racially abused during a match at Gillingham and adds that he wants to see harsher punishments.
It was in October 2023, he was subjected to a vile, racist gesture during a League Two fixture at Priestfield, and to this day, he still can’t fully comprehend it.
He spoke in an interview with Mirror Football about that day, how it made him feel, while also looking to tackling racism.
“You obviously hear about racist incidents or remarks, but when you see something like that in real time, it’s crazy,” Bogle said to Mirror Football.
“I had the feeling of shedding a tear”
One year ago, Omar Bogle was racially abused.
This is his story, in his words.#EFLTogether pic.twitter.com/kt2Jv5MpWY
— EFL (@EFL) October 17, 2024
EFL referee Tom Reeves discusses handling an incident of racism involving Newport County striker Omar Bogle and a Gillingham supporter. pic.twitter.com/epsSL8Vu0m
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 29, 2024
“You think to yourself, ‘Has that really just happened?’. I’m probably a bit desensitised to be honest. I’ve pushed it to the back of my mind instead of dealing with it – I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
It came when Bogle went over towards home fans after scoring, but one supporter appeared to make a monkey gesture at the striker, with the Newport players immediately pointing out what they had just saw.
Referee Tom Reeves had a discussion with Bogle and captain Ryan Delaney, and then made his way over to the touchline to report the incident to the managers, fourth official and steward.
It didn’t instantly register with Bogle, it was only when he spoke with referee Tom Reeves at the time that Bogle, now playing for Crewe Alexandra, realised what had happened.
This gave him memories of when he got racially abused while playing for Solihull Moors in a game against Gainsborough. He stayed quiet that time.
“When I look back 10 years ago, when I experienced that, I didn’t feel like I had anyone to talk to. Back then the conversations around racism weren’t as prevalent as they are now. There’s a lot of things I’ve kept to myself throughout my career.
“I was apprehensive [at the time] about the effects it could have on my career, what kind of impression is it going to give managers or other players? Things like that.
“I’ve realised now there’s more to life than football; I’m more than just football.”
“I remember even on the coach back, it was a long journey back and at one point I almost shed a tear”
Newport County striker Omar Bogle speaks out on the racial abuse he suffered during the clubs 2-0 win away to Gillingham. pic.twitter.com/udEHfT5Czg
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 28, 2024
28 year old Ben Burchell, with learning difficulties, is the person who racially abused Bogle at Gillingham, escaping a football banning order but was given 40 hours of community service, after pleading guilty to racially abusing Bogle.
Bogle agreed there has been progress in the fight against racism, but after what he experienced last year, more needs to be done, calling for harsher punishments, stronger deterrents, having been left disappointed over the actions taken to the abuser, however, adds that he’s unsure over the prospect of clubs being targeted as well as individuals.
“I play for Crewe now and knowing what this club is about, I’d hate for the club to get punished for one idiot.
“There has to be bigger punishments [though]. You can see there’s more conversations and more awareness but that guy didn’t even get a lifetime ban from football: he’s still free to go to games. To me, that’s ridiculous. People have had bigger punishments for less.
“If you want to keep [racism] out of football then surely you don’t want people like that in stadiums or around other people’s kids.”
Bogle spoke more on the EFL’s Together Against Racism: “The campaign is great because it raises more awareness. If people don’t feel confident enough to confront people, then report it using the official channels. That makes a difference.
“I feel like my voice will hopefully give more people confidence to speak about their experiences. You can speak to people without any repercussions or judgement.
“The mere fact that we’re sitting here now having this conversation is a positive change. Social media [has played a big part]. It’s good and bad: it gives some clowns more of a platform to be stupid, but at the same time, it also gives the opportunity for it to be highlighted more. That situation at Gillingham could have happened 10 years ago and no one probably would have known about it.
Omar Bogle speaks on racial abuse from Gillingham fan who escapes football banning order
“You’ve got some clowns that are just sitting behind a computer or their phone that just want to cause a stir. I’m like, why not take that power away from them? Don’t even respond to it. Because that’s what they want.
“You don’t actually notice the effect [racism] has on you consciously,” Bogle says. “You almost don’t want to be yourself at times; you try and bend to try and do what’s right. Unless you’re me or you look like me, you won’t understand that. I’m at a place now where I’m comfortable being me.
“Any form of discrimination is always going to be there; I don’t think you can fully get rid of it. You can’t eradicate racism itself, but you can do more to keep it out of the game with punishments. That’s where things have got to change now.
“I don’t want [campaigns] to be a gimmick where it just looks like we’re doing something, you know what I mean? If that’s the case, I’ll be honest, just leave it alone. There’s no point half-arsing things. If we’re going to do it, we have to do it properly.”
EFL and Clubs stand Together Against Racism
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