Police have charged two men after investigating racial abuse incidents during an FA Cup match between Haringey Borough and Yeovil Town on Saturday.
The arrests were made on Monday morning on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault, with a 23 and 26 year-old now in custody at a station in Somerset.
A statement has been released by the Metropolitan Police that says: “Two men have been arrested this morning following an investigation into reports of racist comments made during a match between Haringey Borough FC and Yeovil Town on Saturday, October 19.
“The men – aged 23 and 26 – were arrested in Chard and Yeovil on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault.”
Players representing Haringey were brought off the pitch by their manager Tom Loizou, something which the England national team decided against doing after their controversial tie in Bulgaria last week.
The FA Cup fourth qualifying round saw Haringey goalkeeper Valery Douglas Pajet spat at the forefront of the abuse after being spat at and hit by an object.
Sorry for the late update but wanted to make sure we gave correct information.
— Haringey Borough FC (@HaringeyBoroFC) October 19, 2019
Game has been abandoned following racial abuse. Horrendous afternoon.
It must be said that 99.9% of @YTFC fans are also disgusted by what’s happened as much as we are.
One club, one community.
Aki Achillea, the club’s chairman described what happened as ‘soul-destroying’.
He said: “I am of the view that we had no choice. We could not carry on and play football”.
With Haringey players leaving the field of play, the match was abandoned and was therefore left in the hands of the Metropolitan Police to investigate.
UPDATE: Arrests made after racist comments made during Haringey… – Metropolitan Police https://t.co/ug7pz79Sbd
— MPS Haringey (@MPSHaringey) October 21, 2019
The police have urged anyone who was at the match that has any further information should get in contact on 101 quoting CAD 5272/19 Oct.
