EFL latest: Police investigating after Swansea's Eom targeted by alleged racist chanting
Key points
- Swansea's 1-0 win at Millwall was stopped for almost seven minutes over alleged racist abuse.
- Referee Edward Duckworth halted the match in the 65th minute and spoke with both managers.
- Police are using CCTV to identify offenders after a report of racist chanting.
Swansea's 1-0 win at Millwall was held up for almost seven minutes on Tuesday evening after the Welsh club reported an allegation of racist abuse from the crowd towards Swansea substitute Eom Ji-Sung.
Referee Edward Duckworth stopped the Sky Bet Championship match in the 65th minute and walked to the dugouts to speak with Millwall boss Alex Neil, Swansea counterpart Vitor Matos and fourth official Ruebyn Ricardo. A security guard was also present, and the referee appeared to point to an area in the stands behind the Swansea dugout.
What was announced in the stadium
When play resumed, it was announced in the stadium that there had been a report of racist chanting, adding that police were working to identify any offenders using CCTV.
Matos confirmed the player in question was South Korea winger Eom, who was warming up. Neil said: "It's been an alleged incident of racist chanting."
It's been reported and obviously it's not acceptable.
— Millwall boss Alex Neil
Club statements and reaction
Millwall later released a statement saying the club is aware of an alleged, individual incident of discriminatory abuse towards a Swansea City player during the second half of Tuesday evening's match. The club said it operates a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discriminatory abuse and that any individual found to have engaged in such behaviour will face the strongest possible action.
Millwall added that it is working alongside the relevant authorities to establish the facts and cannot comment further because the alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which the club fully supports.
Swansea said in a statement that it wants to place on record its thanks for the swift and decisive manner in which the match officials, Millwall and the police dealt with the incident. The club said it will follow all protocols and processes and provide whatever assistance it can to all parties as the incident is investigated, adding that it stands with Ji-Sung, who has its unstinting love and support.