Gills apologise to Newport’s Townsend over alleged racial abuse
In October 2023, then Newport striker Omar Bogle was the victim of a racial incident when scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Gillingham, at the Priestfield Stadium.
As he wheeled away in celebration having scored the first of two penalties, a Gillingham fan performed a racist gesture towards him.
Shortly after that game, Gillingham released a statement confirming they had issued a lifetime ban to the supporter in question, who was later arrested by police. Newport also released a statement condemning the abuse towards Bogle, who is now at Crewe.
Bogle recalled the incident as the the EFL and its clubs recently united to relaunch the league’s “Together Against Racism” campaign.
The initiative runs until October 28 and encourages players, managers and fans to use their voice to drive change.
On Tuesday night, Townsend made some fine saves as Newport ended a run of three consecutive defeats with only their second league clean sheet of the campaign.
Solihull born Townsend, 29, qualifies for Antigua and Barbuda through his grandfather.
