Shrewsbury Town say they have been left disgusted as a Charlton Athletic fan gets arrested for alleged racial abuse at a keeper.
The remarks was allegedly hurled at their Salop shot-stopper Marko Marosi on Saturday afternoon with what happened stopping the game.
Marosi was defending a goal in front of Charlton fans when the referee Sam Purkiss paused the game for the matter to be dealt with.
Someone in the Covered End seems to have said something unsavoury to Salop keeper Marosi whose gone to complain to the ref.
Refs gone to speak to the fourth official. #cafc pic.twitter.com/IYkhyZGu3Y
— Tash Everitt (@natashaeveritt7) April 23, 2022
SHREWSBURY TOWN STATEMENT
Shrewsbury Town has released the following statement after today’s game at Charlton Athletic.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is disgusted to hear reports about the alleged vile racist abuse that Marko Marosi was subjected to during Town’s Sky Bet League One fixture against Charlton Athletic.
The Club is pleased that Marko reported the abuse immediately to the match officials and quickly pointed out the offender. We hope the individual is educated and dealt with appropriately. Shrewsbury Town would like to stress that this is an isolated incident and does not reflect the good, loyal fanbase of Charlton Athletic.
We hope the individual learns that this abhorrent verbal abuse will not be tolerated anywhere in football or in any walk of life.
Shrewsbury Town stands together against discrimination and we stand with Marko. We will provide Marko with any support he needs and we will do everything within our power to ensure this incident is dealt with appropriately.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC STATEMENT
A complaint of discriminatory abuse by an individual in the Covered End was made to the referee, Sam Purkiss, by a Shrewsbury Town player during today’s game at The Valley.
The game was delayed for a period of time after the referee informed the club’s safety officer that he wouldn’t re-commence the game until the two individuals had been removed from the stadium.
An individual has been arrested by police and is in custody. The club are supporting the police with their investigations.
The club has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination. We have a long history of promoting equality and tackling discrimination. Discrimination has no place at this club or in football.
Shrewsbury boss Steve Cotterill condemned the abuse, telling reporters: “Something was said. He (Marosi) had something shouted at him, I’m not prepared to repeat that on camera because if I did repeat it, it would be very offensive and everybody would say ‘why has he said what he said?’
“It was very offensive, certainly not timely, in this moment, with what’s going on in the world. It’s not timely – and also to get his nationality right would be handy. He’s OK. It’s not a nice thing to happen to him today, I don’t know if it’s the first time to happen to him in his career.”
Cotterill continued: “You can’t legislate for a couple of fools in the crowd. Charlton Athletic have been a proper club. I don’t think Marko will press charges, I think it’s probably best he lets it go otherwise he’s going to be targeted. It was more about getting the person out the ground for what he said to Marko. It’s just not acceptable in this day and age.
“Unfortunately it then reflects on the good folk of Charlton Athletic and their club. It shouldn’t and hopefully it won’t.”
Addicks’ boss Johnnie Jackson said: “He (referee) said there had been an incident in the crowd. The goalkeeper had made an accusation and they needed to deal with it. That’s as far as I know about it.
“Obviously, it’s a delicate situation and matter so it’s probably best not to speculate. The club will look into it and deal with it as they see fit. I believe it was an allegation of racism. That’s what the referee said.”
FURTHER CHARLTON UPDATE:
Following the complaint of discriminatory abuse during today’s game against Shrewsbury Town, the club can provide a further update.
The club can confirm that police are investigating the incident and appealing for information, however no arrests have been made at this stage.
Police have said that it has been established that the two individuals who were removed from the stadium at the request of referee Sam Purkiss were not involved in the abuse. They were allowed to leave with no further action taken against them. The club would like to thank the individuals for their compliance.
The club are continuing to work with the police in an effort to identify those who were involved in the incident. Any supporters with information on the incident are advised to get in touch with the club or call 101.
The club has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination and a long history of promoting equality and tackling discrimination.
A statement from the Met Police on the incident can be found below:
“Shortly before the end of the match between Shrewsbury and Charlton at The Valley on Saturday, 23 April, the referee was made aware of racial abuse directed at a Shrewsbury player.
“Two males were escorted from the stand by stewards and were handed over to officers.
“After making further enquiries and speaking to witnesses, it was established that the two men escorted from the stand were not involved in the abuse. They were allowed to leave with no further action taken against them.
“Officers will work with the club to carry out further enquiries in an effort to identify those who were involved in the incident.”
Twitter users reacted with Shrewsbury left disgusted as Charlton fan gets arrested for alleged racial abuse at keeper Marosi…
@FL0R34T5alopia: This is a good unequivocal statement. No one should have to endure such abuse and no one should be trying to sweep it under the carpet. 🔷🔶
@pgillett2017: It’s disgusting to hear this… Glad Marko reported it to the ref straight away & we’re all behind him.
@Paul_McCormick_: I can’t talk for all fans but as a @CAFCofficial season ticket holder, I like to think we stand together against discrimination. I hope the perpetrators are punished appropriately. Thank you for your support today and all the best for next season.
@spennjy66: As a Charlton fan I hope the club deal with this fan
@JohnAgambar: I’m a loyal CAFC supporter and am also disgusted this happened. Best wishes to Marko, I can assure him all true Charlton fans deem this behaviour unacceptable. We stand together.
@ShrewsGav: There really are some disgusting individuals in this world. I sincerely hope @CAFCofficial have dealt with the offender in the manner he deserves to be.
@XanderC1985: It was quite clear that for Marosi to react the way that he did, an offensive comment was likely to have been directed towards him which looks like the case. For a large chunk of our fanbase to jump on the ‘You’re going to cry in a minute’ chants shows how stupid some are. #cafc
@cafc_daniel: We ain’t like this fuck that one fan
Handled it like a champ @MarosiMarko we are all with you. #NoRoomforRacism
— Harry Burgoyne (@BurgoyneH1) April 23, 2022
Can’t believe he’s be actively encouraged to just ‘get on with it’. Isn’t that the issue. People who have been targeted have got on with it for too long. Culture of football needs to change.
— Anthony Price (@93_price) April 23, 2022
@JubilantJackson: It’ll be best if he pressed charges instead of just letting racism go imo, nothing will change if people just keep getting away with it
@lisat_81: As a Charlton fan, I hope he does press charges. It’s not what the vast majority of our fans are about AT ALL.
@pacificpaddy: Not sure Cotterill’s handled that too well 🤦♂️
@TomGriffBC: Surely make a stand and show it won’t be tolerated?!?
@JimLuca20897775: Not a great response from SC that.
@AleixGwilliam: Yep, let racism or xenophobia go, keep your head down, best approach 🤦♂️
@dirksfadeaway: To get his nationality right …?? Sometimes it’s better to say nothing . Dear me.
@daveylad82: Shocking response from SC “Best he lets it go”. Wow.
@Salop1977: Odd take from Steve this?!
@SportsMadMCR: Tho will just carry on….. @kickitout
@FollowTheTown1: Disappointing response from the manager. It’s up to Marosi if he wants to take it further and I hope Cotterill will support him if he does.
@PaulGC84: How wrong that Cotterill has said he will “probably best let it go”. Marosi doesn’t take legal action but at the very least you’d expect him to work with the club to suspend the fan(s) in question.. Racism has no place in football. @SRTRC_England @kickitout
@STFC_Will: what a weird and awful take from steve
@Ali_Harvey668: “Lets it go”..?? Or he’ll be targeted?? Seriously??? I’m fuming 😤 That’s like complaining about bullying & it getting ignored & it going against you for standing up to bullies 🤷♀️😡😡😡

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