• Premier League

Police make arrest after Bassong reports abuse

ESPN staff
December 8, 2012
Sebastien Bassong quickly complained to referee Howard Webb about the abuse © PA Photos
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Police have arrested an individual accused of making a racist gesture in the direction of Norwich City defender Sebastien Bassong.

The incident happened towards the end of the Canaries' 4-3 Premier League victory over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

Swansea officials quickly identified the individual from television footage, after Bassong made a complaint to match referee Howard Webb - with the police taking on matters from there.

"I can only tell you what I have been made aware of, which is that there was a gesture made to Sebastien Bassong, " Norwich manager Chris Hughton said after the match. "Credit to Swansea City Football Club, I think they have identified the individual and that is now in the hands of the right authorities."

Bassong scored his third goal in four matches for the club to make the scoreline 2-0 to the away side prior to half-time, but the incident occurred following Robert Snodgrass's late strike that effectively killed off the contest.

A Swansea spokesman added: "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."

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