Lincoln City’s next away opponent, Millwall, has been embroiled in a racism row after alleged abuse aimed at Swansea City substitute Eom Ji-sung prompted a stoppage at The Den.
The Lions host us on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 12.30 pm, but their meeting with the league leaders was interrupted after Swansea reported the alleged abuse to the fourth official. Play was paused around the 65th minute, with the referee and fourth official speaking to both managers and the safety officer before the match resumed approximately six minutes later.
Swansea head coach Vitor Matos confirmed afterwards that the complaint concerned Eom, who was among the visitors’ substitutes. He praised the officials’ response and the announcement made inside the stadium.
“There was a racism situation regarding our player,” Matos said. “That was Ji-Sung. Then we made a complaint to the fourth official, and then it was just a protocol situation, and that’s it.
“Then I think the officials did really well handling the situation. The club did really well with the announcement as well, and that’s how we deal with these situations.”
Millwall manager Alex Neil also condemned the alleged abuse, describing it as unacceptable. However, he questioned the length of the interruption and argued that the investigation could be dealt with after the match.
“Something has been said, and it’s been reported,” Neil said. “It’s unacceptable. I think someone said it to one of their subs while warming up, apparently.
“What happens is the stoppage is because the referee needs to speak to the safety officer. The safety officer, if he comes down within one minute, the game will start in one minute. If he comes down after half an hour, the game starts in half an hour.
“That’s why the stoppage was as long as it was, which is a shame because you’re not going to deal with that moment, however disappointing it is, and it is unacceptable. Nothing gets solved then.”
Neil said the complaint had already been brought to the attention of the relevant people. His frustration centred on the delay while the safety officer was consulted, with the Millwall boss arguing that stopping play would not resolve the allegation itself.
“It’s been reported. The fourth official knows about it. All the people involved know about it. That can get dealt with at a better time. I just don’t understand the point in stopping the game for so long at that stage.”
In further reported by BBC Sport, Neil suggested the interruption had affected the game’s momentum. He also acknowledged that his reaction might have been different had his side scored.
“It needs to get dealt with, absolutely, but stopping the game doesn’t deal with anything. All it does is kill the momentum…
“Listen, if we score I probably don’t feel this way, but that’s how I feel just now.”
Millwall subsequently said the club operates a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory abuse and that anyone found responsible would face the strongest possible action. The Lions also confirmed they were working with the relevant authorities and supporting an ongoing police investigation.
Swansea issued their own statement confirming the allegation and expressing support for Eom. The Welsh club thanked the match officials, Millwall and the police for their response, and pledged to assist with the investigation.
“During the second half of this evening’s Championship fixture at Millwall, Swansea City reported an alleged incident of racist abuse aimed at Jisung Eom.
“As a club we condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, and there is no place for such behaviour in football or in society.
“The club wants to place on record its thanks 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.
“We stand with Jisung, and he has our unstinting love and support.”
The incident came during Tuesday night’s Championship fixture, which Swansea won 1-0 through a late Ronald goal.
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