Police confirm hunt for fan who racially abused assistant at Portsmouth FC game vs Oxford Utd
Police have confirmed they are hunting for a fan who made a racist comment at a referee’s assistant at Pompey’s game on Saturday.
The Fratton Park match was stopped in the 77th minute after the comment was directed at one of the referee’s assistants from either Block E or F in the North Lower, as reported.
The club met the match officials after the game to discuss the incident and launched an immediate investigation, including a review of CCTV footage in the area. The referee confirmed the incident will be reported to The FA.
Now a police spokesperson has confirmed the force is investigating - with no one arrested yet. “We have received a report of racial abuse being directed towards a referee’s assistant yesterday 5 October between 1.30pm and 2pm. We are investigating,” they said.
A club statement, released on Saturday, said: “Football is for all and racism has no place in society. We all have a role to play in eradicating such behaviour and ensuring that discrimination of any kind is not welcome at Fratton Park.
“Any individual found to have made any racist or homophobic – or any discriminatory – remark will receive a significant ban from attending matches at Fratton Park.
“Anybody with information about this incident should email the club in confidence [email protected] with any relevant details that might help us with our investigation.”
Fans can also call Hampshire Police on 101, quoting the crime reference number ‘44240432868’.