Cardiff City Report Racist Abuse Incident to Police After Match Halted
Cardiff City Football Club has taken decisive action following an alleged incident of racist abuse that disrupted their League One fixture against Lincoln City on Saturday. The club has formally reported the matter to South Wales Police and relevant football governing bodies, while also appealing to supporters for assistance in identifying the individual responsible.
Match Interruption and Investigation
The concerning episode occurred during the 55th minute of Saturday's clash at Cardiff City Stadium, immediately after Lincoln City's Rob Street scored what would become the winning goal in their 2-0 victory. Referee Tom Reeves halted play for over three minutes to inform both managers about allegations involving supporters and Lincoln City captain Tendayi Darikwa.
Following an internal investigation that included gathering witness statements, Cardiff City released an official statement on Tuesday confirming their findings. The club stated they have been "disgusted by this repugnant behaviour" and emphasized their zero-tolerance approach to racism and all forms of discrimination.
Club Statement and Police Involvement
In their detailed statement, Cardiff City revealed they are working to identify an individual believed to have made a racist gesture from seat Block 116 in the Ninian Stand. The club has explicitly rejected any suggestion of misinterpretation, stating that after completing their investigation, they firmly believe this was a genuine incident of racist abuse.
"The club has reported the incident to the relevant governing bodies and South Wales Police," the statement confirmed. "We ask supporters to help with any information pertaining to the individual's identity, or indeed for the person to make themselves known to the club amidst an ongoing police investigation."
Appeal to Supporters and Reporting Mechanisms
Cardiff City has made a direct appeal to their fanbase, urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The club highlighted that the initial report came through their 'Don't wait: report it' hotline, which allowed them to quickly identify the perpetrator's location and begin their investigation.
The statement further reminded supporters about proper reporting procedures for any discriminatory behavior:
- Report incidents to the nearest stadium steward immediately
- Use the anonymous text line at 07554 158 224
- Utilize the club's dedicated reporting hotline
- Provide specific details including seat numbers, descriptions, and exact words used
Additional Stadium Incident
In a separate but related development, match officials also reported an incident of anti-social behavior during the same stoppage, where a vape was allegedly thrown at the Lincoln City goalkeeper. This additional report underscores the broader concerns about fan conduct during the match.
Cardiff City emphasized their commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all supporters, stating: "We applaud and encourage passionate support; however, we do not tolerate discrimination, abuse, foul and abusive language or anti-social or threatening behaviour."
The club is now awaiting further dialogue with the Football Association regarding both incidents as police continue their investigation into the alleged racist abuse.
