Newport cup tie halted by alleged homophobic chants

Published1 hour ago

The Football Association and South Wales Police could be asked to investigate alleged homophobic chants at Newport County's Rodney Parade ground.

Newport's FA Cup first round tie against Walsall on Saturday was halted for five minutes during the second half by referee Robert Massey-Ellis.

The official spoke to the managers and captains of both teams and appeared to gesture towards the home crowd close to the dugouts.

The club could still face a FA charge as homophobic and discriminatory chants breach FA rules and are also classed a hate crime.

Newport manager Hayden Mullins said after the game he had not heard any discriminatory language but said such behaviour had no place in football.

"I think it was homophobic stuff that was heard in the crowd, which is not on. We don't condone it," said Mullins.

"It was reported to the stewards and then to either the linesman or fourth official.

"I didn't hear anything, but he [the referee] has gone down the right channels, which is good. No-one wants that.

"He chose to stop play and wanted to deal with it pretty thoroughly. He wanted to make sure he was on top of that and had the right things in place, which is key."

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