Gillingham ban fan for life after appalling racist gesture to rival striker
Gillingham have swiftly issued a lifetime ban to a supporter who was seen racially abusing Newport County striker Omar Bogle.
After Bogle had put Newport 2-0 up in the first half of their League Two clash at Priestfield on Saturday, a fan - who Gillingham say has since been arrested - came rushing towards the advertising hoardings and made a monkey gesture at the 30-year-old striker, who was just yards away.
A number of Bogle's teammates pointed out the fan and cut short their celebrations. Referee Tom Reeves promptly held a conversation with the abused player and Newport captain Ryan Delaney before going to the touchline to report the incident to both sides' managers, the fourth official and the matchday steward.
During the second half, Gillingham's director of operations posted on social media to confirm that action had been taken. "Disgusting from one individual in the Rainham End," Gills chief Joe Comper posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"Arrested, and a lifetime ban from Priestfield issued. Can't thank the large number of fans from around the stadium who are clearly as enraged as us. We really appreciate your support."
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In a statement issued after the match, anti-racism organisation Kick It Out said: We are aware of the disgusting abuse from a fan directed towards Newport forward Omar Bogle during Saturday's League Two match at Gillingham.
"There is absolutely no room for so-called supporters like this in football and offences such as this should be met with the strongest possible punishments. We send our support to Omar and remind fans that discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated. If you see it or hear it, report it."
A clip of the incident went viral on social media during the half-time break, with football fans across the country left "disgusted" and "appalled" by the supporter's behaviour. "Disgusting behaviour but fair play to Gillingham, they have acted swiftly to deal with him," one wrote.
Omar Bogle was racially abused by a Gillingham fan
Newport County's players quickly pointed him outAnother said: "Realised what he was doing within 0.02 seconds but the damage is done, lifetime ban on the way. No room for it." A third added: Well done Newport players for pointing him out straight away."
A Gills fan also said in response to the news that the supporter had been banned: "Thank you to our supportive fans, the police and our stewarding team. There is no place for hatred at Priestfield."
A second followed up by saying: "Good to hear, horrible to witness, couldn't have been more clear on iFollow so horrible to be ashamed of the club I love."
The goal which preceded the racist abuse was Bogle's second of the game and both of his strikes came from the penalty spot. The 2-0 victory means that Newport are 19th in the League Two table after a difficult start to the campaign, but they're now eight points clear of the relegation zone. Gillingham, meanwhile, suffered their fourth defeat in six games since the sacking of Neil Harris, who's been replaced on a caretaker basis by former Crystal Palace assistant Keith Millen.
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