Newport condemn 'racist' abuse of Bogle by Gills fan

Striker Omar Bogle scored both goals in Newport's victory on Saturday

Newport County have condemned a "racist gesture" aimed at striker Omar Bogle during Saturday's League Two win at Gillingham.

Kent Police confirmed a person had been arrested following the incident and the club later confirmed the fan had been banned for life.

Exiles boss Graham Coughlan said the abuse was "distasteful" and "mindless".

• Match report: Gillingham 0-2 Newport County

A statement released by Newport said: "Newport County is extremely disappointed with the racist gesture made to striker Omar Bogle by a Gillingham supporter during today's League Two fixture at Priestfield Stadium.

"Newport County abhors any forms of racism, prejudice or discrimination and has a zero-tolerance policy towards incidence of such nature."

Kent Police said: "A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence and taken into police custody."

On the abuse of Bogle, Coughlan said after the game: "It's not nice. It's distasteful. There's no place [for it] in the game.

"I've competed against Gillingham for years and years and I don't think that represents the true Gillingham Football Club. I think that's just one or two mindless [supporters] and it's certainly a minority.

"We can't tarnish the good name of this football club because of one or two mindless idiots really.

"They'll be dealt with by the authorities and they dealt with it swiftly, they dealt with it cool, calm and collectedly and fair play to them - we thank them for that."

Gillingham FC Supporters' Club posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying: "Disgusting behaviour which has no place in football and at Priestfield. Lifetime ban needed."

Joe Comper, head of operations at Gillingham FC, said on X: "Disgusting from one individual in the Rainham End. Arrested, and a lifetime ban from Priestfield issued. Can't thank the large number of fans from around the stadium who are clearly as enraged as us. We really appreciate your support."

A Gillingham statement later confirmed the lifetime ban with the club adding: "One thing that people will see today from the way that we have responded, is that our stance is zero tolerance."