LONDON (AP) — A match between Millwall and Swansea in England's second-tier Championship was paused following an allegation that racist abuse was directed at South Korea winger Ji-sung Eom.
The incident took place in the second half of Tuesday's game at Millwall's home stadium, The Den, reportedly while Eom — a substitute for Swansea — was warming up near the touchline.
The match referee spoke to both coaches in a delay that lasted around seven minutes, according to the BBC, before there was an announcement over the loudspeakers that there had been alleged racist chanting.
Following the game, Swansea — which won 1-0 — published a statement saying the club had “reported an alleged incident of racist abuse aimed at Ji-sung Eom.”
“As a club we condemn racism and discrimination in all forms,” the statement read, “and there is no place for such behavior in football or in society.”
Swansea said it was thankful “for the swift and decisive manner in which the match officials, Millwall Football Club and the police dealt with the incident.”
“We will now follow all protocols and processes and provide whatever assistance we can to all parties as the incident is investigated,” the statement continued. “We stand with Ji-sung, and he has our unstinting love and support.”
In a post on X, Millwall said it was aware of an “alleged, individual incident of discriminatory abuse” toward a Swansea player
“The club operates a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discriminatory abuse,” Millwall wrote. “Any individual found to have engaged in such behavior will face the strongest possible action.”
Millwall said the incident was the subject of an ongoing police investigation supported by the club.
Swansea coach Vitor Matos said on the BBC that Eom was “not happy with the situation.”
“But he knows we will stay with him and follow the situation as long as we can,” Matos said.
“Millwall did the right thing by announcing there is no place for this sort of thing. I’m happy with how it was handled, but really sad that it happened. Now it is about evaluating the situation.”
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