FA Cup Qualifier called off; two fans get arrested over racism charges

Two days after the FA Cup Qualifier between Yeovil Town and Haringey Borough was abandoned, two men were arrested on Tuesday over alleged racist abuse at the ground. The match was called off in the 64th minute after the players decided to walk off the pitch. Yeovil Town defender Coby Rowe was racially abused while goalkeeper Douglas Pajetat was also spat at. The two teams will replay their FA Cup Qualifier tie on Tuesday, 29th October 2019. The game will be played at the Coles Park Stadium in Tottenham, which is Haringey Borough's home ground. 

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FA Cup Qualifier: Two arrested over racist abuse

The London Metropolitan Police said on Monday that two men, aged 23 and 26, have been detained on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault at the FA Cup Qualifier. The FA said it is 'deeply concerned' by the incident and was investigating it 'as a matter of urgency', while anti-discrimination charity 'Kick It Out' praised the “swift and decisive action” taken by Haringey manager Tom Loizou and his players. Crowe said that he was angry and upset and did not really know what was going on when the game was halted.

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Racism in football: Haringey not the first

Haringey Borough are not the first team to be associated with racial abuse in recent times. The incident occurred five days after the England national team were subjected to racial abuse in their game against Bulgaria in Sofia. The game was paused twice to warn the crowd supporters that the game will be abandoned if the chanting continued. Liverpool's right-back Trent Alexander Arnold was also subjected to racist abuse in their game against Manchester United in Old Trafford on Sunday.

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Racism in Football: A recurring issue

Racism in football has been an increasing problem in Europe with a lot of players being subjected to abuse. Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku was subjected to ‘monkey chants’ in the game against Cagliari. Montenegro was forced to play a game behind closed doors after they allegedly abused the English players Danny Rose, Raheem Sterling and Callum Hudson-Odoi with monkey chants. Bastia were given a one-point deduction and ordered to close a part of their stadium after their fans allegedly aimed racist chants at Nice’s Italian striker Mario Balotelli in the Ligue1.

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