Bristol Rovers Faces Police Investigation Over Alleged Racist Abuse Incident

Police Investigate Racist Abuse Allegation at Bristol Rovers Match

Bristol Rovers is currently embroiled in a police investigation following allegations of racist abuse during a League One match against Burton Albion. The incident, which occurred during the second half of the game, led to the match being temporarily halted by referee Tom Kirk.

Incident Details

The alleged abuse targeted Burton Albion defender Udoka Godwin-Malife, prompting complaints from several players on the pitch. A supporter was subsequently ejected from Memorial Stadium after the incident. Burton Albion manager Gary Bowyer and Godwin-Malife have both been interviewed by the police as part of the ongoing investigation.

Club Statements

Burton Albion released a statement on their website, confirming their awareness of the allegation and their commitment to supporting the affected player. The statement read: "We are aware of an allegation of racist abuse at today's game. Both clubs are fully aligned that there is no place in football for racist abuse and will be supporting the player in any way we can."

Bristol Rovers manager Inigo Calderon also expressed his disapproval, stating: "If that happened, the fan cannot be here anymore, simple as that. That's not acceptable."

Police Involvement

Both clubs are cooperating fully with the police, and a statement from Bristol Rovers confirmed their support for the investigation: "The club is working closely with Burton Albion and the police to fully investigate the matter."

Ongoing Investigation

As the investigation continues, both clubs have pledged to take necessary actions to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future. Racist behavior in football remains a significant issue, and this case highlights the need for continued vigilance and strong measures to eradicate it from the sport.