Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Gillingham fan arrested and given lifetime ban for 'disgusting' racist gesture

talksport.com, 29 October 2023, 11:36
Omar Bogle says society must 'do better' after being racially abused by a Gillingham fan on Saturday.

The supporter in question has since been arrested and has been issued a lifetime ban.

The Newport striker secured all three points for the Welsh side, scoring two first-half penalties at Priestfield in their 2-0 win.

However, the game took a vile turn when a supporter charged to the front of Gillingham's Rainham End and made a racist gesture towards Bogle during his goal celebration.

In a statement posted on his Instagram story following the incident, Bogle said: "Firstly I want to thank everyone for the messages of support already after today's match.

"Listen this problem is bigger than just football but in life and as we keep saying, there's no place for racism. It's 2023. Do better.

MORE ON EFL

Rooney rages at 'disgraceful' referee call he loses third straight game as Birmingham boss

I'm the 6ft 5ins teenage son of a Charlton legend who left Chelsea and could now return

"I appreciate the support I received from the Gillingham players and staff and also a lot of the supporters and I urge you all to continue to drive out the minority that stain the clubs reputation and values.

"I also think it's weird and a bit alarming that Sky Sports have decided to cut short the footage after I scored both goals.

"Don't hide the fu*kry, let it be seen in plain sight so everyone can witness the behaviour that is still very much alive in all walks of life and in our game at all levels. #CantStopWontStop."

During the game, the club's director of operations, Joe Comper, took to X following the incident, writing: "Disgusting from one individual in the Rainham End. Arrested, and a lifetime ban from Priestfield issued.

Most read in EFL

Rooney rages at 'disgraceful' referee call he loses third straight game as Birmingham boss

Notts County issue hilarious response to Taylor Swift takeover rumours

I'm the 6ft 5ins teenage son of a Charlton legend who left Chelsea and could now return

Rooney told to 'f*** off back to America' by angry Birmingham fan

"Can't thank the large number of fans from around the stadium who are clearly as enraged as us. We really appreciate your support."

The club then released an official statement after the game, stating they have 'zero tolerance' for the behaviour and confirming the supporter in question had been given a lifetime ban.

Kent Police have also confirmed the individual had been arrested.

Gillingham owner Brad Galinson took to X on Sunday to condemn the behaviour, stating three others were also ejected from the ground during the fixture for 'sexist/homophobic chants'.

He wrote: "Nearly all Gills fans are good people just there to enjoy the day. One was not & will never be welcome at Priestfield again. 3 others ejected for sexist/homophobic chants. They will either learn how to behave or not return. We will not stand for it! Help us help you."

The FA recently issued the club a £12,500 fine and ordered it to form an action plan to eradicate abuse inside the stadium following three incidents last season involving racist and sexist comments.

Top News

22 December 2024 talksport.com Southampton's new head coach Ivan Juric is one not to be messed with as his physical scrap with Torino's sporting director showed. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking to pick up a third straight home win in the Primeira Liga, Vitoria de Guimaraes play host to Nacional at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques on Monday. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly looking for the Red Devils to build a new scouting team in Portugal in a bid to unearth the next Cristiano Ronaldo. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is reportedly not interested in signing Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho during next summer's transfer window. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool must take advantage of Tottenham Hotspur's considerable weaknesses and will be confident of victory on Sunday according to Reds expert David Lynch. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Union Saint-Jean vs. Monaco (Sunday, 1.45pm) On Sunday, in a David vs. Goliath affair, Union Saint-Jean can pull off one of the biggest upsets in Coupe de France history when they take on Monaco in the round of 64 at Stadium de Toulouse. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Gaziantep vs. Antalyaspor (Sunday, 10.30am) After their Turkish Cup victory in midweek, Gaziantep will now turn their attention to the Turkish Super Lig, with Antalyaspor visiting the Kalyon Stadyumu in Sunday's gameweek 17 encounter. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Santa Clara vs. Braga (Sunday, 5.00pm) Still reeling from crashing out of the Taca de Portugal, Santa Clara return to action in the Primeira Liga when they play host to Braga at the Estadio de Sao Miguel on Sunday. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sparta vs. Ajax (Sunday, 11.15am) Ajax will be looking to end the year on a high when they travel to Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel to take on a stuttering Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie on Sunday. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia vs. Alaves (Sunday, 1.00pm) Valencia will attempt to claim their third league when they welcome relegation rivals Alaves to Mestalla for Sunday's crucial La Liga encounter. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Roma vs. Parma (Sunday, 11.30am) Both struggling in the bottom half of the Serie A standings, Roma and Parma will hope for an early Christmas gift when they meet at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk VfL Bochum vs. Heidenheim (Sunday, 2.30pm) In a relegation six-pointer, VfL Bochum will hope to defeat Heidenheim when they welcome them to Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Sunday in their 15th Bundesliga game of the season. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Dundee Utd vs. Celtic (Sunday, 12.00pm) Celtic, looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership, will travel to Tannadice Park on Sunday afternoon to face Dundee United. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton vs. Chelsea (Sunday, 2.00pm) Chelsea have the chance to go top of the Premier League for a brief time at least when they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton on Sunday. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk South American giants Palmeiras have reportedly sent an 'initial proposal' to Fulham for midfielder Andreas Pereira. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Nuno Espirito Santo will rival Arne Slot to win the Premier League's Manager of the Year award. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona want to sever ties with attacker Ansu Fati at the earliest opportunity in the January transfer window but the player is rebelling against a move, according to a report. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane has confirmed that he wants to remain at the Allianz Arena despite links with a return to the Premier League next year. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serie A powerhouses Napoli have supposedly expressed an interest in signing Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on a free transfer next summer. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alexander Sorloth scored a last-gasp winner as Atletico Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to go top of the La Liga table. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka has been seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches after sustaining a suspected hamstring problem in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have written a new page of English football history thanks to their 5-1 destruction of London rivals Crystal Palace in Saturday's Premier League derby. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round 17 of the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig will be wrapped up with a clash between two sides from the Marmara region, as Istanbul Basaksehir welcome Kasimpasa to the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu on Monday evening. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Leicester loan star Facundo Buonanotte wants to see a Tottenham forward join him so they can rekindle their partnership. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal's rivals will hate it but they can definitely claim London is red after their 5-1 win over Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus continued his resurgence with two goals as the Gunners demolished Crystal Palace 5-1 in the Premier League at Selhurst Park. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal fans' worst fears have been realised with Bukayo Saka substituted early with a suspected hamstring injury. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have suffered a worrying injury blow over Bukayo Saka, who appeared to pick up a hamstring problem in Saturday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona and Arsenal are reportedly both interested in signing Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume, with the France Under-21s international potentially leaving Estadio Ramon next summer.