Referee Robert Massey-Ellis strode across the pitch at Rodney Parade, halted Newport County’s FA Cup first-round tie against Walsall for five minutes during the second half on Saturday, and walked over to speak with the managers and captains of both teams while gesturing toward home supporters seated near the dugouts.
That sudden pause stopped play amid alleged homophobic chants erupting from the crowd. Homophobic and discriminatory chanting breaches Football Association rules and is classed as a hate crime, meaning the Football Association and South Wales Police could be asked to investigate the incident at the Welsh venue.
Manager Hayden Mullins Responds to the Stoppage
Newport manager Hayden Mullins stated after the match that he did not personally hear any discriminatory language from the stands. However, he confirmed that the matter was addressed through official channels.
“I think it was homophobic stuff that was heard in the crowd, which is not on. We don’t condone it,” Mullins said, as reported by bbc.com.
Protocol and Reporting at Rodney Parade
“It was reported to the stewards and then to either the linesman or fourth official. I didn’t hear anything, but he [the referee] has gone down the right channels, which is good,” Mullins added. “No-one wants that. He chose to stop play and wanted to deal with it pretty thoroughly. He wanted to make sure he was on top of that and had the right things in place, which is key.”
Potential Consequences from Authorities
Following the five-minute stoppage, Newport County could still face a formal FA charge over the conduct of supporters in the home stands.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Match Halt
How long was the Newport County and Walsall match stopped?
Referee Robert Massey-Ellis paused the FA Cup first-round tie for five minutes during the second half on Saturday.
Which officials did the referee consult during the stoppage?
The referee spoke directly with the managers and captains of both Newport County and Walsall on the pitch before gesturing toward the home crowd near the dugouts, according to bbc.com.
What potential penalties does Newport County face?
The club could face a formal Football Association charge because homophobic and discriminatory chants breach FA rules and are classified as a hate crime.
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