Two arrests have been made after alleged abuse took place at Gillingham’s Carabao Cup tie against Exeter City on Tuesday night.
The League Two outfit said two men were arrested after allegations of racist and homophobic abuse were reported.
The pair were ejected by stewards and the Gills say they will be given lifetime bans from the MEMS Priestfield Stadium if found guilty.
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CLUB STATEMENT:
The Football Club can confirm that two males were ejected, and arrested by Kent Police, after it was brought to the attention of stewards that there had been allegations of racist and homophobic abuse.
Co-Chairman, and CEO, Paul Fisher said: “There is no place for such behaviour at Gillingham Football Club, nor anywhere in society.
“We have a zero tolerance approach at a family Football Club such as Gillingham.”
The matter is now in the hands of Kent Police. The two individuals in question, if found guilty, will be issued with lifetime bans from MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
The game itself saw Jake Turner become the hero as Gillingham beat love above Exeter City 6-5 on penalties to advance to the Carabao Cup third round.
After 10 consecutive successful efforts, Turner prevented Josh Key from netting his spot-kick before David Tutonda stepped up to find the bottom corner and settle the tie in the home side’s favour.
The two sides swapped divisions over the summer but it was the fourth tier hosts who created the clearer openings during a goalless 90 minutes.
Gills captain Stuart O’Keefe had the best opportunity of the first half, sending his close-range header over after Alex MacDonald’s corner had been nodded back across goal by Elkan Baggott.
Olly Lee later stung the palms of Scott Brown then Jake Caprice, Matt Jay and Jevani Brown all saw their shots go off target.
Turner saved Key’s 25-yard shot before Lee headed a chance wide while finding himself unmarked from MacDonald’s cross.
Gillingham, who have only scored three times in all competitions this season, continued going forward, looking dangerous and almost got the winner in the fifth minute of added time only for substitute Jordan Green to drag his shot just wide.
Fans gave their reaction with two arrests made after the alleged abuse at Gillingham’s Carabao Cup tie against Exeter…
@LuvmeGills: Good. Well done Gills. Get rid of all bigots. Don’t want them near our club.
@Lozzy_H: I’m pleased my club is adopting this position on this. There is no place for racism, homophobia or sexism in modern day life or football
@_Nobly: Well done Gills 👏
@robinkw66: Decisive action. Well done Gills FC and @kent_police
@burt8675: Well done Paul and the club
@gfclastwaltzer: Well done gills , dealt with in the correct procedure and manner , good statement and swifty issued to stop any rumours 💙
@skoow: Well done on dealing with this quickly and appropriately. No place for that behaviour.
@Truebluejock: Well done Gills, these people have no place at our club or in society. They should be named and shamed too.
@gfcjordan: good to see it being properly dealt with. Life time bans is the right thing to do and Idc if anyone disagrees
Dave Towner: Good to see that they will get Lifetime bans. It would be better if it could be from every sports ground in the country. No place for people like this in today’s society
John Gilbert: No place for racism or homophobia anywhere in football, I hope these individuals get criminal records so their employers can see them for who they are as well as their family.
John Slevin: Well done stewards.
Stephen Lowrie: Name and shame them
This comes days after Walsall alleged a number of their players’ families were racially abused in the away end at Gillingham during Saturday’s League Two draw.
A probe was launched after an ‘extremely unsavoury’ incident saw abuse hurled at the family members during the club’s away game to Gillingham FC last week.
Club bosses have now come together with police and the rival club to identify the person responsible. The alleged culprit will be handed a lifetime ban following the incident in the away end of the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
Fans are now being urged to step forward with information. Walsall FC said via its website: “The club have been made aware of an extremely unsavoury incident in the away end at Gillingham this afternoon whereby a number of our players’ families were racially abused.
“We will be working with the police and Gillingham to identify the culprit and, once found, will be issuing a lifetime ban. Abuse of any nature will not be tolerated at our club.
“If any supporters have any information regarding the incident, we would encourage you to email info@walsallfc.co.uk.” The League Two clash saw The Saddlers draw against Gillingham on Saturday, August 20.
The alleged abusive incident also came a few days after ‘abhorrent’ comments were made about a Walsall FC fan, who died two months ago, at a match against Barrow AFC. The remarks were made by a small group of spectators during Barrow’s League Two fixture, which saw them score a 2-1 win against Walsall on the 16th of August.
A number of banning orders were handed out – including one for inciting hate in relation to the incident on social media.
It seems no matter what statement or punishments are put forward by the FA, Premier League or EFL over recent trouble or abuse whether it’s inside stadiums or online, nothing is stopping the culprits from misbehaving.
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