Prosser - Police Deny Race Claims

Last updated : 24 October 2002 By Bob Gear
Phil Prosser refereed the match between Brighton & Sheffield United at Withdean on Saturday. His performance was questioned by many Brighton Fans at the Game.

Local MP, Ivor Caplin, was so incensed by the Referee's performance that he stated after the game that he would be reporting Prosser to the footballing authorities.

The Referee was listed as being from West Yorkshire. Sheffield is in South Yorks.

He denied the Albion a couple of Penalty claims in the first half, he gave 2 doubtful penalties to United in the second half which helped them turn around the game. Sheffield United won 4-2 after being 2-0 down at half-time.

The Referee defended his performance after the game when Interviewed on BBC Southern Counties Radio by Ian Hart.

He said he is not from Yorkshire but lives there, but only moved there two weeks ago. Hart asked him if he was pleased with his performance today, and he stated that he was

He said the first penalty was given for a foul on Carl Asaba by the Keeper but it was not a red card as another defender was there, and therefore was not a clear goal scoring chance, and that the second penalty was a push by the Centre Half on Wayne Allison. Sheffield United players are referred to by their names whereas Brighton players are called by their positions.

On the monday after the game Prosser announced that he and Sheffield Uniteds Peter Ndlovu had been racially abused by Brighton Fans at the game. He also alleged that coins had been thrown at the Sheffield dugout.

He didn't make these allegations on the day.

Brighton chairman Dick Knight said the two senior safety officers and the stewards escorting the referee had seen no such event. However, he added: "We take both allegations very seriously and, after the FA divulge their findings, we will investigate thoroughly if any wrongdoing comes to light."

Peter Ndlovu heard no racist abuse
According to the BBC South's News Peter Ndlovu did not hear any racist abuse directed at him on Saturday & has "no complaints".

The Police Superintendant who was at the game on Saturday said today on SCR
that his officers had received no complaints of racial abuse directed at anybody
at Withdean. He also went on to say that a thorough search of the ground did
not produce any coins.

So, it seems likely that there is no evidence of racial abuse of either the ref or Peter Ndlovu by Brighton Fans.



Brighton & Hove Albion take racist abuse seriously, and will ban offenders. They have a telephone hotline and
email address printed in every Matchday Programme, and advise supporters to 'Report a Racist'.