Racist abuse against Seol Gi-hyeon at Millwall?

[IconsFanatic]

Millwall reject Ince racism claim

BBC Sport
Tuesday, 25 January, 2005

news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4207221.stm

Millwall say they have found no evidence that Wolves Seol Ki-Hyeon was racially abused during Saturday's game.

Seol scored the winner but Wolves' Paul Ince said he "couldn't repeat" some of the comments aimed at the South Korean.

"We made preliminary enquiries and have not found evidence of racist abuse at Seol," said a Millwall club spokesman.

"However, if Paul Ince has specific information relating to anything he saw or heard we will, of course, treat this seriously and investigate further."

The spokesman added: "We have, though, received no allegations from anyone else relating to racist abuse directed at Seol or any other player."

Seol scored the winner in the last minute of Saturday's match and afterwards Ince said: "It was ironic for Seol to get us the winner as some of their fans were a disgrace.

"Some of the things they were shouting at him throughout the game I just couldn't repeat.

"We have worked so hard to eradicate this sort of thing from our game and to hear that, especially at Millwall who have done more than most clubs to stamp it out, is very disappointing.

"It was a real reminder of the bad days and I don't want to see that again."

[IconsFanatic]

Errr, Seol was called "DVD". I think Ince is over-reacting just a tad.

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'Racist' Millwall fans are blasted by Ince
Jan 24 2005

By Paul Berry

Paul Ince today blasted a minority of Millwall fans for their "disgraceful" abuse of Wolves' midfielder Seol - and insisted it was ironic the South Korean should score an injury-time winner.

Seol was taunted by Millwall fans throughout Wolves' 2-1 win, and although he played down the subject afterwards, Ince was not so diplomatic.

The Wolves skipper, himself the subject of abuse in the past, suggested it was a return to the bad old days and that anyone dishing out racial taunts should be "slung out of the ground".

While there was confusion over the precise nature of the chanting, Ince makes reference to other comments from the stands, and Millwall today promised to investigate any specific complaints.

"It was ironic that Seol should get the winner because he took stick all game," said Ince.

"The crowd were an absolute disgrace and some of the things that were said I couldn't repeat. "I thought we'd got away from all those things and for it to happen to someone like Seol is a disgrace.

"But he responded in the right way by putting the ball in the back of the net and ramming the taunts down their throats.

"I'm not saying it was all the crowd, it was a small section who were giving him racial abuse. "We've worked so hard to eradicate that from football, especially Millwall, who more than anyone are trying to get it right.

"To see what happened on Saturday is going back to the bad times and I wouldn't like to see it again."

There was some bemusement as to what the Lions' supporters were actually shouting, which Millwall themselves have actually investigated.

The consensus appears to be that the chant was 'DVD', in reference to the large numbers of Oriental people who sell DVD's in the area.

"We were aware of the chanting every time Seol got the ball, and have tried to ascertain what exactly it was," explained Millwall press officer Deano Standing.

"The DVD chant is the explanation we have heard, which is a new one on us.

"In reference to what Paul Ince said, we do make a concerted effort to eradicate racial chanting from the game at Millwall.

"And if he did hear other comments from the crowd than we would be glad for him to let us know where they came from.

"Then there is the slight possibility we could find those responsible on CCTV, or at least keep a closer eye on the particular area at the next game."

Ince meanwhile believes the problem could be helped by stronger stewarding.

"People making racial taunts should be slung out of the ground, and I don't care whether it's one person or whether it's 50," he added.

"If you're a steward, and there's four or five stewards there listening to people shouting racial abuse at someone on the pitch, then they should get ejected.

"If they are not brave enough to do that then they shouldn't be doing that job."


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Case Of Mistaken Identity

A startled fourth official was on the receiving end of Seol's celebrations after he snatched a last minute winner at the Den on Saturday.

The official, who was stood next to manager Glenn Hoddle, was wearing similar attire to that of the Wolves bench and was apparently trying to shepherd Seol back on to the pitch when he felt the full force of the South Korean's delight.

Speaking after a calming shower Seol said: "Millwall were so strong that it wasn't easy but we got three points.

"But we are still low in the table and need more wins. When you play away from home it's always a difficult game.

"I don't care what the fans say, it's normal to get a bit of stick and it didn't affect me at all. If you want to become a good player you have to ignore it. And I was very happy with my goal.

"It was difficult for me coming to new team and a new culture. I needed to become more confident and I knew I would play better.

"Glenn Hoddle has given me more confidence, I didn't know he was coming to the club.

"It was kick and rush before he came and I didn't like that. Hoddle likes his teams to play and that's what I like."

[redneck13]

Seol sorted it out himself by scoring the winner.