Brighton issue statement: "This underlines our commitment to a zero tolerance policy"
Tuesday 12 February 2019 16:35, UK
A Burnley supporter has been charged with a racially aggravated offence, following an incident of alleged abuse of Brighton's Gaetan Bong.
The man is one of two fans of the Premier League club to have been charged by police following Burnley's 3-1 away victory, in which Bong played the full 90 minutes for the hosts.
Sussex Police said: "Two men have been charged following an incident during the Brighton and Hove Albion vs Burnley match at the Amex Stadium on Saturday (9 February).
"Club stewards responded to reports of racist abuse received by away supporters in the away end during the game.
"Two individuals were identified and ejected from the stadium, and arrested by Sussex Police officers.
"Nathan Higgins, 18, a student, of Talbot Drive, Burnley, Lancashire, has been charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and using racially aggravated threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
"Stewart Higgins, 53, an engineer, both of Talbot Drive, Burnley, Lancashire, has been charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
"Both defendants were released on unconditional bail and are due to appear before Brighton Magistrates' Court on 14 March."
Bong has been targeted by some Burnley fans since accusing West Brom's Jay Rodriguez of racially abusing him during a Premier League game last year, leading to an FA charge for the striker. The FA declared the charge to be "not proven" against Rodriguez, who began his career at Burnley.
Bong was also targeted by West Brom fans during Brighton's FA Cup victory at the Hawthorns last week.
A spokesperson for Brighton & Hove Albion said: "Once again this underlines our commitment to a zero tolerance policy on any form of abuse from those attending matches at the Amex.
"We would remind all fans that we will not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour at the stadium and going forward we will always take the strongest possible action."
