Visiting football manager Danny Cowley has praised the actions of a Gillingham supporter after claiming one of his players had been racially abused.
The Gills played out a 1-1 draw with Colchester United on Monday night at Priestfield and the Essex side’s manager has spoken out after claiming a fan had been arrested for abusing his player, Owura Edwards.
Gillingham Football Club have been contacted for a comment, and Kent Police have also been asked for a response.
The Gills were in League 2 action against their cross-border neighbours in a match that finished with unsavoury scenes as players and staff from both teams confronted each other at the final whistle.
Colchester boss Danny Cowley admitted things boiled over after the game, but was keen to praise one Gillingham fan who took action over an alleged racial comment.
Cowley, speaking to BBC Radio Essex, said: “The police spoke to me. One of their supporters has been arrested for racial abuse.
“I want to credit Gillingham football club, because it was actually one of their supporters, that sat behind him, who actually highlighted what he said, and he got arrested as a consequence.
“That gives me some faith in society, because sometimes in and around football you can see the worst in society. That was good.
“What we should celebrate is that one of their supporters has highlighted that another one of their supporters has abused Owura Edwards. We should stand up to it.
“The fact that the gentleman has done that does give me some faith in society and I think, for me, I would rather celebrate that rather than a melee where a load of men just wanted to fight for their team and it just got a bit over-heated.”
