Police yet to make arrest over racial abuse at Fratton Park despite “really helpful” Portsmouth FC supporters
Police have yet to make an arrest over alleged racist abuse towards a referee’s assistant at Fratton Park despite the club praising “really helpful” supporters for coming forward a week ago.
The hunt has been on to find the perpetrator behind the reported racial slur during Pompey’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United on October 5.
Assistant referee Bhupinder Singh Gill drew attention to alleged offensive remarks made towards him during the second half at Fratton Park with the game paused in the 77th minute. A loudspeaker announcement was made to warn spectators about bad behaviour. The abuse is believed to have come from Block E or F in the North Lower.
Last week, Pompey chief executive Andy Cullen thanked the Fratton faithful for “helpful” information in assisting the hunt to identify the culprit - with him insisting it did not amount to “grassing”. He told The News: “We have been asked for our observations by the Football Association, which have been submitted.
“We are grateful to a number of supporters in that particular area and others who have come forward with information, which is really, really helpful. I think it underlines it’s not just the football club that is determined to stamp out this sort of behaviour, the fans equally want to do it as well.”
Cullen added: “I don’t think it is ‘grassing’. The first thing supporters want to know is can they come and watch football and be safe?
“That trumps everything else, you want to be able to do that, you want to welcome people from all backgrounds to watch a game of football in Portsmouth.”
But despite the “really, really helpful” development, police have said there are still no arrests in the matter with “enquiries ongoing”. A police statement previously said: “We have received a report of racial abuse being directed towards a referee’s assistant on 5 October between 1.30pm and 2pm. We are investigating.”
A club statement previously 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’.