A Sikh football fan who was racially attacked at Arsenal’s Premier League match against Liverpool last week has been targeted before, Sky News has been told.

The incident on 16 March, which allegedly ended with the man’s turban being knocked off, took place at half-time in the 8.15pm kick-off – around one of the toilet facilities at the Emirates Stadium.

While the victim wishes to stay anonymous, Sky News has been told that this was not the first time he has been racially abused at the north London venue. The club have confirmed he is a season ticket holder.

Over the weekend, Arsenal offered their support to the victim and appealed for witnesses.

“We have made contact with a season ticket holder, who has confirmed that during half time of the match against Liverpool on Wednesday, March 16, he was the victim of racial abuse and a physical attack on his cultural identity,” said a club statement.

“The details given by our supporter have been passed onto the Metropolitan Police and we are appealing for any witnesses who were in and around the toilet facilities in blocks 100 – 101 in the North Bank Upper Tier at half time last Wednesday.

“Arsenal is a home for everyone and we take all forms of discriminatory abuse and violence extremely seriously. We will not stand for this kind of behaviour.

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“We will continue to remain in contact and offer support to our fan who was the victim of this appalling incident.”

Fans urged to report discriminatory behaviour

While the FA does not have any jurisdiction over individual spectators or matters that take place on the concourses of English football grounds, it has urged fans to report any discriminatory behaviour.

A spokesperson told Sky News: “The alleged incident in question is very concerning.”

They added: “We encourage anybody who believes that they have been the subject of, or witness to, this kind of behaviour to report it through the appropriate channels: The FA, via our partners at Kick It Out, or the relevant authorities so that it can be investigated.”

Sikh hate crime on the rise

Jas Singh, of The Sikh Network, told Sky News that anti-Sikh hate crimes were on the rise.

“Whilst the recent anti-Sikh hate crime attack at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium was shocking and unacceptable, it is unfortunately not a new or unique incident,” he said.

“We have seen a sharp increase in attacks and incidents since 2016 and the Brexit debates. Such abuse and attacks are becoming more and more regular in sporting venues and public places.”

In October 2020, a detailed report on Sikh hate crime was published, calling for the government to formally recognise it and its definition.

Mr Singh said: “Unfortunately, the faith minister and government have not taken this seriously, despite the Home Office data showing a disproportionate increase in Sikh attacks.

“So due to the lack of engagement, these incidents continue to rise and only make organisations act, following outrage from the community and support groups on social media.”

Nav Singh, a Sikh sports scientist at Arsenal, told Sky News: “This is a terrible story for anyone to read, not just for Sikhs.

“Arsenal is a club for any human. Football is a sport for any human. Racism has no place for any human.”

Anyone with information about the incident on 16 March should contact Arsenal on 020 7619 5000.

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