'Racism has no place in our game': Sporting Khalsa goalkeeper Ravan Constable speaks out following abuse at Hereford match
Sporting Khalsa goalkeeper Ravan Constable has spoken out after being subjected to racial abuse during a match.
Constable said racism 'has no place in our game' after he suffered abuse during the match at Khalsa's Guardian Warehousing Arena in Willenhall on Saturday (September 13).
The FA Cup second round qualifying match against Hereford FC was abandoned after the goalkeeper was the subject of 'monkey noises' from the crowd in the second half.
Hereford FC bosses later confirmed banning orders against two of its supporters pending an investigation by West Midlands Police.
Goalkeeper Constable has taken to X to release a statement about the incident, expressing his anger and upset at the events, and reaffirming that "racism has no place" in football.
He said: "[I'm] emotional and angry about yesterday, I was subject to racist abuse that no one should ever have to face. Discrimination or hatred because of who they are.
"Racism has no place in our game. Thanks to all of my teammates and staff at Sporting Khalsa, and also the people of Hereford FC, for their support."
Khalsa manager Ian Rowe gave an interview on Sunday in which he said he was "angry and disappointed" at the events, adding that the chanting was "like something from the '80s", and that racists are "not welcome at our club".
He said: "As a club, obviously, we've had to face barriers and hurdles. I've certainly been on my journey since I've been at the club.
"The players yesterday, I was proud of them because they all backed Ravan and made sure, duty of care, he was looked after and he was okay first and foremost.
"As I've said previously, you can never [legislate] for today's idiot. It's 2025. Monkey chanting, come on. That's like something from the '80s. Give your head a wobble, you're not welcome at our club.
"Do not attend. Kick it out, kick them out."
This summer Lionesses defender Jess Carter admitted to stepping away from social media during England's title defence against Sweden on July 17, with the footballer later saying that the "violent and aggressive racism'" had left her scared to compete.
West Midlands Police is continuing to investigate the incident between Sporting Khalsa and Hereford FC, and has asked anyone with information to get in touch via 101, or Live Chat on the force website, quoting reference 3265 of September 13.
