Millwall caught in fresh storm after six fans arrested over 'Sordell is a c***' banner
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UPDATED:
12:22 GMT, 11 November 2012
Millwall were caught in a fresh storm after a group of fans displayed a banner bearing the words 'Sordell is a c***' in protest at a 13-year-old supporter being banned for a racist Twitter attack on Marvin Sordell.
The banner was quickly removed by ground staff during Saturday's Championship clash with Derby and six people were arrested by police.
Target: Bolton's Marvin Sordell
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the arrests were made over alleged public order offences.
'Six males were arrested during the game at Millwall in relation to a banner being unfurled at the game,' he said.
'They remain in custody at this time.'
The banner was unfurled in the home end on Saturday during Millwall's 2-1 victory over Derby at The Den.
It was an apparent reference to an incident on October 6 when Bolton midfielder Marvin Sordell was verbally abused by a 13-year-old Millwall fan, who has subsequently been banned from attending matches by the club.
The banner on display was swiftly removed by Millwall staff.
The club refused to comment on the issue, and assistant manager Joe Gallen – standing in for Kenny Jackett, who missed the game with flu – also opted not to discuss the matter.
It came a day after Sordell has
contacted the police after allegedly suffering racial abuse on
Twitter.
It appears to be the third time the Bolton
Wanderers star has been subjected to racial taunts this season and follows the
banning of a 13-year-old Millwall fan for verbally abusing him during a match in
October.
Controversy: A Fan has been banned from ground over Sordell abuse
In the latest attack he was allegedly called a
'jungle ape' by Twitter user Steve Lawrence, who also reportedly criticised Mr
Sordell for 'crying like a sissy' following the abuse he received from the
Millwall fan.
The young Millwall fan had been was banned by
the club after he admitted abusing Mr Sordell during a match against Bolton Wanderers at the New Den
on October 6.
The club offered the boy a place on a
'Millwall for All' educational programme, instead of imposing a full life ban,
'in the hope that we can change his outlook on equality, racism and life in
general'.
Referring to the incident, Mr Lawrence
tweeted 'jungle apes get more pathetic every week. Tattling (sic) on a
13-year-old – you really cannot set the bar any lower.'
In response, Mr Sordell tweeted: 'racism and
homophobia all in one tweet. Well done, does that make you feel important or
big'
In another tweet Mr Lawrence said, 'blacks and
whites: obviously not the same because whites do not cry like sissies and
fairies when they are booed by pre-teens.'
Sordell said he will pass the messages onto police, according to the Daily Star newspaper.
