Newport County's FA Cup first round tie against Walsall was halted for five minutes during the second half on Saturday amid alleged homophobic chants at Rodney Parade. Referee Robert Massey-Ellis spoke to the managers and captains of both teams.
The referee appeared to gesture towards the home supporters close to the dugouts during the stoppage in the second half. Newport manager Hayden Mullins said he had not heard any discriminatory language but that such behaviour had no place in football.
"I think it was homophobic stuff that was heard in the crowd, which is not on. We don't condone it," said Mullins.
Homophobic and discriminatory chants breach FA rules and are classed as a hate crime, and the Football Association and South Wales Police could be asked to investigate. The club could still face an FA charge.
Mullins said the incident was reported to stewards and then to an official, and praised the referee's response: "He chose to stop play and wanted to deal with it pretty thoroughly. He wanted to make sure he was on top of that and had the right things in place, which is key."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident puts Newport County at risk of an FA charge and a possible police investigation over crowd behaviour.
- It shows referees intervening directly to stop play over alleged discriminatory abuse, a step that will be closely watched by clubs and fans.
- It highlights the FA's treatment of homophobic and discriminatory chants as both a disciplinary breach and a hate crime.
Background
The FA Cup is English football's oldest national knockout competition, and lower-league clubs such as Newport County enter in the first round. Football authorities in England have treated discriminatory chanting as a disciplinary matter and, where it amounts to a hate crime, as a matter for the police.
Key Perspectives
- Hayden Mullins (Newport County manager): says he did not hear any discriminatory language, but such behaviour has no place in football and he does not condone it.
- The Football Association's rules: classify homophobic and discriminatory chants as a breach and a hate crime, leaving Newport facing a possible charge.
What to Watch
- Whether the FA opens disciplinary proceedings against Newport County over the alleged chants.
- Whether South Wales Police launch a hate crime investigation.
- Whether the referee's report leads to action against any individuals identified in the crowd.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedNewport’s cup tie was halted amid alleged homophobic chants.BBC Wales: “Newport cup tie halted by alleged homophobic chants.”
- SupportedThe referee stopped play for five minutes.BBC Wales: “Newport's FA Cup first round tie against Walsall on Saturday was halted for five minutes during the second half by referee Robert Massey-Ellis.”
- SupportedThe FA and South Wales Police could be asked to investigate.BBC Wales: “The Football Association and South Wales Police could be asked to investigate alleged homophobic chants at Newport County's Rodney Parade ground.”
- SupportedThe match was Newport County’s FA Cup first-round tie against Walsall, played on Saturday.BBC Wales: “Newport's FA Cup first round tie against Walsall on Saturday was halted for five minutes during the second half by referee Robert Massey-Ellis.”
- SupportedReferee Robert Massey-Ellis spoke to both teams’ managers and captains.BBC Wales: “The official spoke to the managers and captains of both teams”
- SupportedThe referee appeared to gesture towards home supporters near the dugouts.BBC Wales: “appeared to gesture towards the home crowd close to the dugouts.”
- SupportedMullins said he had not heard discriminatory language but that such behaviour had no place in football.BBC Wales: “Newport manager Hayden Mullins said after the game he had not heard any discriminatory language but said such behaviour had no place in football.”
- SupportedMullins said, “I think it was homophobic stuff that was heard in the crowd, which is not on. We don't condone it.”BBC Wales: “"I think it was homophobic stuff that was heard in the crowd, which is not on. We don't condone it," said Mullins.”
- SupportedHomophobic and discriminatory chants breach FA rules and are classed as a hate crime; the club could still face an FA charge.BBC Wales: “The club could still face a FA charge as homophobic and discriminatory chants breach FA rules and are also classed a hate crime.”
- SupportedMullins said the incident was reported to stewards and then to an official, and praised the referee’s response.BBC Wales: “"It was reported to the stewards and then to either the linesman or fourth official. "I didn't hear anything, but he [the referee] has gone down the right channels, which is good.”
- SupportedMullins said, “He chose to stop play and wanted to deal with it pretty thoroughly. He wanted to make sure he was on top of that and had the right things in place, which is key.”BBC Wales: “"He chose to stop play and wanted to deal with it pretty thoroughly. He wanted to make sure he was on top of that and had the right things in place, which is key."”