Plymouth keeper slams Accrington fans as clubs speak on incident

Plymouth Argyle keeper Mike Cooper slams Accrington fans as both clubs speak on the incident which has marred the fixture.

Young supporters allegedly directed homophobic slurs at the shot-stopper during the League One game at the Wham Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The 22-year-old made the comment via Twitter after the Pilgrims returned to the top of the third tier standings with a 4-1 away win.

PLYMOUTH STATEMENT:

During the second half of our Sky Bet League One fixture at Accrington Stanley, one of our players reported being subjected to consistent homophobic slurs from a small number of supporters within the stadium.

Plymouth Argyle condemns this behaviour in the strongest possible terms, and applauds our players for taking a stand in the fight against discrimination.

We would also like to thank our colleagues at Accrington Stanley, who have acted swiftly and supportively to begin an investigation to identify the individuals involved.

Football is for everyone, and the club remains committed to playing our part to build a more inclusive sport.

The club will work with anti-discrimination charity Kick it Out as well as the relevant football authorities on the matter, and will provide no further comment at this time.

ACCRINGTON STATEMENT:

Accrington are aware of a @Twitter comment from the @Only1Argyle goalkeeper with regard to alleged homophobic comments and are conducting investigations.

Stanley prides itself on being an inclusive community club and we will take the appropriate action if required. – STATEMENT ENDS

After the game, Cooper posted a couple of messages on Twitter, the first one being: “Some support again! Congrats to Will J-D first of many.”

Cooper was referring to 17-year-old academy product Will Jenkins-Davies making his league debut for Argyle as a 90th minute substitute for Ryan Broom.

The 22-year-old ‘keeper then also tweeted: “And to the @ASFCofficial young fans, homophobic slurs aren’t acceptable.”

Argyle’s US-based owner and chairman Simon Hallett replied to Cooper’s tweet about the homophobic slurs with the comment: “Well said and well done, Mike.”

And to the @ASFCofficial young fans, homophobic slurs aren’t acceptable.

— Mike Cooper (@Mike_coooper) November 13, 2021

Then, after Argyle had issued their statement, Hallett added: “What a shame that such disgusting behaviour should happen on such a good day.

“Thanks to Stanley for helping to investigate. I know Andy (Holt, Accrington’s owner and chairman) would be as appalled as us.”

Fans reacted as the Plymouth keeper slams Accrington fans with clubs having to speak on the incident…

@MikeGarside3: My favourite away match and so disappointed this has happened. Know you’ll get it stopped asap Your fans response to Coops apart from 1 has been a credit to the club. All the best for rest of season!

@glyn_birchall: I was right behind the goal, mike cooper took some stick from one fan on several occasions who ran to fence behind the net. I couldnt hear what he said. Im disgusted and want to appologise from 99.9 % of Accy fans. Sorry Mike Cooper.

@techepow: Good. No need for such behaviour. Find them ban them simples

@NicholasM2_96: A (the) top League 1 keeper, with helluva future in football in front of him, stands up and calls it out. Well done, and thank you for standing up for what is right. One of the last vestiges of homophobia must go into history, where it should already be.

@gu77ed: Sorry you experienced that mate, none of us true fans condone that stuff. GG to you lot, safe travels home.

@AsfcForever: Mike I was in the Stanley end today. I agree it’s totally unacceptable. Banter is banter but that was a cut above. Congratulations on the win, well deserved and good luck for the rest of the season. Safe trip home to the team and supporters alike 👏👏👏

@jimcurtisbbn: A 1-4 home defeat is bad, but these behaviours are more humiliating. I hope the club can deal with it. As few fans as we have, we don’t mind losing some

@InsuranceSouthW: My son age 11 has recently been subject to slurs from other pupils, with the worst being called “trans” because he has long hair. Fortunately it was overheard and stamped out by the school. The offenders were completely unaware of the hurt caused. Early education on this is vital

@davebyrne01: Some fans seem to think it’s banter, let’s say something really horrible to put off the opposition, homophobia, it’s unacceptable, well done on calling it out, it can also be reported @kickitout

@RawMilkZine: Unacceptable. Apologies. Hopefully the club can take action to educate.

@ACosmicGrief: Well done for calling this out Mike; it’s the only way to address them and give those responsible the opportunity to learn.

@TheGreenJanner: As a club it would be cool to work on this and provide information about homophobia as a teacher I hear so many homophobic slurs because the kids do not know or understand the meanings of the words and phrases that they are using!! That way we can educate to root out this issue

@StevieWotsa: Fantastic statement well done! Don’t let this tarnish Accrington who are a fantastic well run family club because of a mindless few! 💚

@KevCOYG: Unacceptable from anyone at any time. But why is it ever acceptable to shout and snarl abuse at another human being? I’m thinking of the crap I see and hear from the same few idiots in the Devonport End towards, for example, opposition goalies. It’s not ‘banter’, it’s hate.

@BuhyJanner: Glad to hear Stanley dealt with the matter. Seen and heard this bullshit at Brighton a couple of time: people can be such dickheads