Luton Town’s hard-fought victory against Sheffield United on Boxing Day took an unfortunate turn as an alleged racist comment aimed at Luton’s Carlton Morris marred the game.
The incident, swiftly reported by Morris himself, prompted investigations by South Yorkshire Police and a stern response from both clubs involved.
The forward, who played a pivotal role in securing Luton’s win by setting up two own goals, found himself at the center of attention for a distressing reason.
In the late stages of the match, Morris was the target of a comment from a member of the home crowd, leading him to promptly alert match officials following Premier League protocols.
Rob Edwards, the Luton manager, voiced his concern and support for Morris, acknowledging the player’s agitation at the time.
“There was an alleged racist comment, the police are dealing with that,” Edwards stated, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Sheffield United’s manager, Chris Wilder, expressed disappointment, highlighting the referee’s intervention regarding the racial comment made during the game.
The incident drew attention not only due to its occurrence but also because referee Sam Allison, the first black referee to officiate a Premier League match in 15 years, was overseeing the game at Bramall Lane.
In his post-match comments to Amazon Prime Video, Morris emphasized the importance of adhering to the protocols outlined by the Premier League in handling such incidents.
“I heard something from the crowd in the front row unfortunately, and I just knew it’s best to get that reported straight away and let them deal with it from there,” Morris remarked, underlining the significance of immediate action.
Luton Town reaffirmed their staunch stance against all forms of discrimination, extending full support to Morris and reiterating a zero-tolerance policy towards such reprehensible behaviors, whether witnessed in person or online.
While the game’s outcome provided a crucial win for Luton in their battle to avoid relegation, the overshadowing of this victory by the alleged racist comment serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating discrimination within football.
Authorities continue their investigation into the incident, underscoring the collective effort required to uphold inclusivity and respect within the sport.
