FA investigating after footage of racist abuse during Yeovil match against York

The Football Association is investigating a video circulated online, which appears to show racist abuse being aimed at the York City player Lenell John-Lewis during their match against Yeovil on Saturday.

The clip shows John-Lewis stepping up to take a penalty in the National League match, with discriminatory chanting audible from the stands. The York captain’s penalty was saved, but he went on to score the winner with 10 minutes to go.

York released a statement which said: “York City are aware of a video that contains racist chanting aimed towards one of our players at Saturday’s match against Yeovil Town. We have reported the incident to the FA, who are investigating, and we are happy to leave the investigation in their hands.

“As a club, York City deplores discrimination in all of its forms, and will never tolerate such behaviour.”

John-Lewis posted on Instagram: “My first encounter with RACISM was on a football pitch nearly 20 years ago and here I am today still at the receiving end of mindless cowards. [Yeovil] have said they are investigating internally, I am not holding my breath.

“It will be interesting to see what, if anything, is done by [the National League] or the English FA, who have been made aware and have this footage. Will ‘Kick it Out’ ever happen? While racism is still in society, it will not.”

A Yeovil club statement said: “Yeovil Town can confirm we are aware of audio which contains discriminatory chanting from Saturday’s game against York. An internal investigation will take place into the matter and we will work with all the relevant authorities. Yeovil Town continues to stand against all forms of discrimination.”