Norwich City’s Sebastien Bassong celebrates scoring
Swansea have confirmed one of their supporters has been arrested for allegedly making a racist gesture towards Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong during their 4-3 Barclays Premier League defeat at the Liberty Stadium.
The incident took place after Robert Snodgrass had scored Norwich’s fourth goal from a free-kick in the 77th minute.
Bassong, who had scored earlier in the game, went to celebrate with his team-mates but quickly motioned to referee Howard Webb that he believed he had been the victim of a racist gesture. Webb then reported the incident to the fourth official, and an arrest of a male supporter has been made.
A Swansea spokesman said: “There was an incident after Norwich’s fourth goal. Sebastien Bassong made the referee aware there was a racist gesture towards him from a Swansea City fan.
“Within 10 minutes of the report the stewards had got hold of the TV footage, replayed it, identified the alleged person in question and within that period he was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence. The matter is with the police, but from the club’s point of view we abhor racism and we have worked hard over the years to make this a family club. We will look into it and a further statement will follow in due course.”
Norwich City’s Sebastien Bassong scores a goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Swansea City
It is believed the Swansea supporter allegedly made a monkey gesture towards Bassong as the Cameroon international went to join his team-mates’ celebrations.
Canaries boss Chris Hughton admitted he was disappointed by the incident, which overshadowed his side’s first away win of the season.
He said: “I was made aware at the end of the game there was a gesture made towards Sebastien and I have to say credit to a very good football club in Swansea City. They have identified it and the matter is now with the right authorities and they are dealing with it.
“It is disappointing because it was a wonderful football match out there today but Swansea have dealt with it in the correct way. But it should not take away from the fact there were two good teams and two good supports out there today. Our support were brilliant in getting behind us and the Swansea supporters were brilliant in getting behind their team, especially in the second half when they thought they could get back in the game.”
South Wales Police later confirmed the arrest of a 23-year-old man in relation to the alleged gesture towards Bassong. A spokesman said: “We can confirm that a 23-year-old Swansea man was arrested during the Swansea v Norwich game at the Liberty Stadium for a racially aggravated public order offence. He remains in police custody.”
