Ryan praise for Haringey/Yeovil stand

Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan has backed the decision of the Haringey and Yeovil players to walk off the pitch in last Saturday’s FA Cup clash. The decision was made for both sets of players to return to the changing rooms after Haringey keeper Douglas Pajetat reported that he had been spat at and had missiles thrown at him, while defender Coby Rowe had been the victim of racist comments.
The referee made the decision to abandoned the game and the fourth qualifying-round clash will be replayed on October 29.
There has been widespread condemnation of those involved in the incidents while the clubs have been applauded for the way they reacted, with Ryan now adding his voice to the praise. “It was a powerful statement, but it’s a shame that we’re still speaking about the subject in this day and age,” he told the Brighton website “Full credit to everyone involved from both clubs and the individual himself to have the confidence to walk off the pitch with the support of everyone.”
Three Brighton fans are under investigation by Sussex Police following two separate incidents of racism at the club’s Amex Stadium, with one man arrested during the Seagulls’ victory over Tottenham on October 5.
The subject is very much in the news at present due to the situation during England’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria, when the ref was forced to stop the game on a couple of occasions due to racist chants in the Three Lions’ 6-0 triumph.
The south-coast club will hope there are no unsavoury incidents this weekend when they host Everton looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last time out.
Brighton sit 16^th in the Premier League standings but are just one point outside the relegation zone after nine matches.