Police make arrests over racism and crowd trouble after weekend’s matches

Police have had to make a number of arrests over racism and crowd trouble after the weekend’s English football matches, confirmed on Sunday.

A tweet was quote retweeted in response to Tshimanga scoring his second penalty in Chesterfield’s 2-1 win against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

A rising number Spireites fans, as well as media outlet Derbyshire Times, reported the offensive tweet to Twitter and requested it be removed, however this is still viewable as of 4pm Sunday.

A word, which was used along with an orangutan emoji, captured the attention of fans and have since hit out at the culprit – who in turn is a Mansfield Town fan. Twitter haven’t removed it nor have they removed the user from their platform.

Chesterfield have since wrote: “We are aware of a social media message with racist overtones, posted in a reply to one of our tweets, which has been reported to the police. Derbyshire Police are now investigating the matter.”

Derbyshire Police said: “The post has been removed. Please do not retweet screenshot. The incident will now be investigated. Racism has no place in society.”

Police have been praised for their quick response.

Twitter users reacted as it’s confirmed that police will investigate the disgusting tweet sent to Chesterfield’s Kabongo Tshimanga…

pic.twitter.com/87fBC5x2B5

— Gareth (@CobbyC91) February 6, 2022

@stellainchessy: @DC_Police @DCP_Diversity He lives on your patch.

@TomB_CFC: Think his employer might want to see what they are letting on their payroll @cornwallhousing

@AIex_CFC: @mansfieldtownfc @MansPolFootball hoping you’ll take the relevant action needed

@CFC1866CBS: I think this is where we get the screenshots in Gentlemen

@LaurenyWebster: @mansfieldtownfc this is the calibre of one of your supporters @JRadfordMTFC

A Wrexham fan called out some of the culprits within his own fanbase following the game at Torquay United on Saturday.

It’s alleged that coins were thrown at women and children, while a refere was racially abused.

Shit result but just one of them games. Disgusting hearing racist abuse directed to the referee as well #kickitout pic.twitter.com/HJhFAjt0D0

— Liam Partyn (@liampartyn95) February 5, 2022

@Ben_William5: And the stewards didn’t give a fuck, shambles mate

@beardywxm: Get them reported #KickItOut

@beachpikey: Lob coins at women and children in the home fixture and then racially abuse an official in the away day. Wrexham fans are a classy lot aren’t they.

@craigyjones17: When hearing of this and also multiple coin throwing incidents, we can’t expect any favours from referees this season. Yes they’re meant to be neutral and fair, but all this will get reported and talked about in the officials circles.It’s not going to help our cause. #kickitout

@Wrexhamisdname: Pricks, stop supporting Wrexham if you are a racist dickhead

@harryt84: Really, that’s shocking. Is that why there was an unexplained stop one one of the corners?

@Owen08Johnathan: that was when a coin was thrown that stoppage

@pauljones_wxm: No need for that, there appears to be be several Reds fans who need to look hard at themselves , if they can’t behave just bugger off

@Jon_hughes1: Disgusting. Get them out of our club!

Police also investigating racism allegations which marred the League One match between Morecambe and Bolton, as well as that at Leyton Orient v Colchester United in League Two, while Man Utd youngster Anthony Elanga was subjected to vile racist abuse from his own fans on social media after his decisive penalty miss in shock FA Cup shootout defeat by Middlesbrough.

Lancashire Police say they are working with Morecambe on an investigation into the alleged racist remarks and revealed five Bolton supporters were arrested for separate offences.

A police statement read: “An investigation is underway after disorder and allegations of racial abuse at today’s match between Morecambe and Bolton.

“The League One fixture was suspended for 10 minutes at 4.45pm and the players taken off the pitch after a number of racial slurs were directed towards the Bolton bench.

The Bolton bench were the Wanderers back room staff and subs were sitting, in very close proximity to the fans…. pic.twitter.com/K4vmsiA7pM

— Jack Dearden (@TheJackDearden) February 5, 2022

Stephen Robinson furious with his own supporters.

Rhys Bennett in disbelief when walking down the tunnel with Dapo.

Wanderers players angry & clearly pointing to a specific area/person.

Yet the home fans scream at Evatt when he’s walking off “you caused this”

Shameful. #BWFC pic.twitter.com/h2kUSwpDdi

— J ⚽️ (@lostockwanderer) February 6, 2022

“After the match resumed and Bolton equalised a number of their fans encroached onto the pitch to celebrate and control had to be regained.

“In total five Bolton fans were arrested for offences including being drunk and disorderly, pitch encroachment and one assault on a police officer.”

Inspector James Martin, of Morecambe Police, said: “Some of the behaviour at this afternoon’s match was utterly disgraceful and completely unacceptable.

“We will be working closely with Morecambe FC to identify those responsible so that we can take the appropriate action.”

“I’m emotional really. From minute one, the barrage of abuse that me and the rest of my staff and players got from directly behind the dugout was astonishing,” he said.

“No protection, encroachment, spitting and then it takes the worst of all remarks, a racist remark for then for somebody to stand up and do something about it.

“I’m emotional. This game sometimes never fails to disappoint me and I’m even more astonished that the announcement comes over the tannoy to say both sets of the supporters weren’t behaving themselves. It wasn’t our supporters. Our supporters, yes, encroached the pitch to support our team and I’m not saying that’s right – but our supporters didn’t behave in that way, so I was really disappointed with that as well.

“I feel for Stephen (Robinson) because his team has fought and it’s not in any way, shape or form a mark against him. He was outstanding on the touchline and completely understanding.

“When we went into the changing rooms with the break, we spoke and we said that this can’t overspill and we can’t lose our own discipline. As upset, disappointed and emotional we are, we have to channel that into 10 minutes of football and give it everything we’ve got and the players did that incredibly well.

“I’m a bit emotional because they’ve really come together and they’ve managed to get something out of this game, but the way they stuck together, if one of us gets abused, we all get abused and we all stuck together, we all did the right thing and until this gets stamped out of the game, it never fails really to disappoint me.”

Bolton chairman Sharon Brittan said: “I completely stand by the actions of Ian and the rest of the staff, who were subjected to abuse throughout the game.

“However, when that abuse became racist he had no option but to make a stand against these completely unacceptable and disgraceful actions from a minority of the Morecambe supporters.

“I implore Morecambe Football Club to treat this matter very seriously because football needs to play its part in rooting out all forms of hatred and discrimination from society.

“Football is a game for all and what we witnessed today was shocking. We will ensure that our colleagues who were abused receive the care and support they need.”

Leyton Orient confirmed a supporter was arrested for alleged racist abuse towards Colchester forward Corie Andrews in Saturday’s League Two match but no charges were taken against the accuser by the police.

The statement read: “During the game, the Colchester bench notified the fourth official to make him aware of an alleged racist remark which they had heard directed towards a Colchester player who was on their bench.

“The club will take the strictest possible measures should the outcomes of the investigation find the individual guilty.

“The club has formally written to the individual informing them that they are prohibited from attending any Leyton Orient fixtures home or away, until the conclusion of the police enquiry.

“The club will make no further comment at this stage.”

Colchester have also released a statement which read: “Following the reports of racial abuse aimed at Corie Andrews, Colchester United support Leyton Orient and the police as they investigate the incident at the Breyer Group Stadium.

“We hope that should any person be found guilty of racial abuse of any description, they will be punished in the strongest possible way, and Colchester United would like to reiterate that we abhor discrimination in all its forms.

“The club will support Corie Andrews in any way that he needs following the match at Leyton Orient.”

Kick It Out reporting racism

Online Reporting Form | Kick It Out

Kick It Out is football’s equality and inclusion organisation – working throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change.