Oxford United manager Karl Robinson has stated that the alleged homophobic slur that was said amongst the Yellows fans in their 2-0 defeat at Wycombe is not ‘acceptable’.
Just before the hour mark, David Stockdale alerted referee Anthony Backhouse to an incident that occurred in the away end which the goalkeeper was defending.
After a quick consultation, the man in the middle called over both managers and a couple of stewards to explain the incident.
An announcement was then made via a tannoy which suggested that an anti-gay comment was made by a person sitting within the Oxford fans.
Moments later, Brandon Hanlan doubled Wycombe’s lead following Curtis Thompson’s first-half strike.
57 - Sad. We now know why the ref halted the game and spoke to both managers. It has been suggested that homophobic comments were coming from the away end. #OUFC #Chairboys #WYCvOXF
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) January 15, 2022
🔵 1-0 🟡
Speaking to the Oxford Mail after the match, Robinson said: “Whoever’s done it is in the wrong, it’s not acceptable.
“Someone heard something that was said and if it was that obvious I’m sure they would have pinpointed the fan and they would’ve been removed.
“We have to stamp this out, it’s not acceptable.
“Our fans are good people.
“Don’t tarnish Oxford United with one person saying something stupid.
“Oxford United fans stand up for what they believe in is right and that’s their team.
“There are a few other things that happened that will go amiss because people want to point on the negative thing.
Incredibly disappointing to hear about alleged homophobic comments being made by Oxford fans today. Do better.
— Chairboys LGBT+ (@ChairboysLGBT) January 15, 2022
Shameful that’s we’re still seeing it, but good to hear that it wasn’t ignored and was reported by one of the Wycombe players. Absolutely no place in football for it. https://t.co/Q4ptvZ8Qw8
“We know saying certain things towards any human being is unacceptable.
READ MORE: Is Wycombe Wanderers vs Oxford United a derby? We looked into the fixture's history
“You know the work that goes on at this club behind the scenes and in the community to make sure everybody lives their life in an open and honest way.
“If one person says something silly it has to be dealt with, but don’t tarnish Oxford United Football Club with one silly bit of behaviour.”
The alleged comment was one of three unsavoury moments at Adams Park, as a few minutes after the announcement was made, a spectator ran onto the pitch before he was confronted by Oxford’s Steve Seddon.
READ MORE: Ainsworth's analysis on Oxford win: Formation, change of system and having no Sam Vokes
65 - A fan has now gone into the pitch. It’s all going off at Adams Park
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) January 15, 2022
🔵 2-0 🟡 pic.twitter.com/N8yJWzDrCJ
The left-back tried to stop the intruder but was unable to do so before they were eventually escorted off by the stewards.
And in the first-half after Thompson had given Wycombe the lead, Garath McCleary was seen to celebrate in front of the Oxford fans, who had, moments later, goaded him when taking a corner.
Several United fans were seen trying to jump over the barriers before the stewards intervened.
Robinson continued: “A fan coming on the pitch incited a problem.
READ MORE: Live updates at Adams Park: Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 Oxford United
“When my player goes off the pitch a fan pushes him and nothing seems to get spoken about.
“One thing gets shouted by a fan and that seems to be the headline of the game.”
READ MORE: Wycombe sit top of the League One table following 2-0 win over Oxford United
Several Oxford fans have now goaded several of the Wycombe subs in De Barr, McCarthy and Al-Hamadi. The latter has been seen talking to a steward and has pointed in the direction of the away end. #Chairboys #OUFC #WYCvOXF
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) January 15, 2022
🔵 2-0 🟡
On the person running on the pitch, Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth said: “I didn’t want any of the players getting in trouble for trying to deal with him [the pitch invader] because it is not fair on the players, and hopefully, this too could be eradicated from football.”
It was later revealed by a source close to the BFP that the spectator who ran on the pitch was not a fan of either team.
It has been suggested that they ‘wanted to attend one of the big games’ in League One this season, and decided to purchase a ticket for the Wycombe vs Oxford match.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here