Swansea fan arrested for alleged racist gesture at Sébastien Bassong

Swansea City vs. Norwich City

Premiership - 5 months ago

Swansea fan arrested for alleged racist gesture at Sébastien Bassong

• Norwich defender alerts Howard Webb during team's 4-3 win
• Swansea say: 'Matter is with the police … we abhor racism'

by Joe Lovejoy at Liberty Stadium 5 months ago

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A Swansea City fan has been arrested after Sébastien Bassong, Norwich City's centre-half, became the latest Premier League footballer to be the victim of an alleged racist gesture.

The incident occurred 76 minutes into Norwich's thrilling 4-3 win, when Robert Snodgrass scored their fourth and decisive goal with a 25-yard free‑kick. It was during the celebrations that followed the goal that the spectator was said to have committed the offence.

In complaining to Howard Webb, the referee, Bassong was caught on one press photographer's camera making what is commonly called a monkey gesture, scratching his right armpit with his right hand. The defender then had to be restrained by team-mates as he tried to move towards the crowd.

Straight after the match, Bassong, who had scored his side's second goal, was interviewed by police in a storage cupboard adjacent to the press room at the Liberty. At 6.15pm Swansea issued the following statement: "An incident occurred after Norwich's fourth goal and Sébastien Bassong made the referee aware that there was a racist gesture towards him from a Swansea City fan.

"From the time of that report, within 10 minutes the stewards obtained the CCTV footage, went through it and identified the alleged person in question. Also within the 10-minute period a male spectator was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence. As a club, Swansea City abhor racism and have worked hard to keep it out of what is a family club."

Bassong was not available for comment but Chris Hughton, the Norwich manager, said: "I was made aware of the incident and all credit to Swansea City for identifying the person involved so quickly. The matter is now with the right people – the police."