Coventry City fan racially abuses Stoke City player during warm-up

A Stoke City player was abused while warming up for the match against Coventry

A football fan racially abused a player while he was warming up for a match.

Officials were made aware of the abuse as Coventry City FC took on Stoke City FC at home on Tuesday night.

The abuse was aimed at a Stoke City player and the club said it would make sure he was offered support. Police said there had not yet been an arrest.

Coventry City FC said the supporter had been banned and his season ticket confiscated after being identified by staff and CCTV at the ground.

The club said there was "no place for racism at our games, in football or wider society and, as we did last night, we will not hesitate in taking action".

It initially said a man had been arrested, but West Midlands Police later said this had not yet happened.

Stoke City FC said it was appalled by the abuse levelled at one of its players and it would pursue the strongest possible action against offenders.

"Discrimination has no place in football or in wider society and we will not tolerate it under any circumstances," a club spokesperson said.

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In a statement, West Midlands Police said: "We're investigating allegations a Stoke City player was racially abused before the Coventry City game last night.

"We've opened an investigation and will be working alongside both football clubs to secure and preserve evidence before a suspect, aged in his 50s, is voluntarily interviewed.

"This matter is being led by our dedicated hate crime officer within our Football Unit."

In January 2021, the force appointed the UK's first dedicated football hate crime police officer amid a rising number of offences linked to the sport.

Tuesday evening's game ended 1-0 to Coventry after Viktor Gyokeres hit his 10th goal of the season at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

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