MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Rob Holding of Arsenal looks on during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Rob Holding praised for his actions at Leeds

Dec 20, 2021

Rob Holding has been commended by anti-racism group, Kick it Out, for his actions in defending his teammates by reporting alleged racist abuse to officials.

LEEDS, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 18: General view of a corner flag with the Leeds logo on is seen with fog behind inside the stadium ahead of the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on December 18, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Over the weekend, West Yorkshire police confirmed that they made one arrest following reports that Arsenal substitutes were subjected to alleged racist abuse during their game against Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday.

In a statement about the incident, campaign group Kick It Out said: “We are concerned by reports of racism directed at Arsenal players at Elland Road last night.

“We send our solidarity and support to those impacted by it, but we also commend Rob Holding for so swiftly reporting it to officials.

“His actions are a great example of taking a stand and being an ally to his team-mates.

“We await the outcome of the investigation by Leeds and the relevant authorities, and will support, however we can, efforts to hold those potentially responsible to account.”

Andre Marriner briefly stopped the match in the 34th minute when it was reported that Arsenal players had allegedly been subjected to racial abuse from a member of the Leeds support.

LEEDS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Referee Andre Marriner reacts during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on December 18, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) — LEEDS, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 18: Referee Andre Marriner reacts during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on December 18, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

It is believed that Nuno Tavares and Nicolas Pepe were the targets of the alleged abuse as they warmed up.

Leeds said in a statement on Saturday night that the club “confirms an investigation into claims of racism during the first half of our game with Arsenal today is underway, and that one arrest has been made in connection to the allegation.

“Racism will not be tolerated at Leeds United and any supporter found to be using racist language will be subject to a life time ban for all Leeds United games.”

After the match, Mikel Arteta was asked about the incident.

“Unfortunately, I can confirm that and it was reported to the stadium manager and now the authorities will deal with that,” Arteta replied.

“Yes, it was a player sitting on the bench [who heard the alleged abuse]. One of the players heard those comments.

“I don’t know exactly who it was [directed at], that is why they will have to be interviewed and they will deal with the authorities in that case.”

Bukayo Saka was also consistently booed throughout the game whenever he was on the ball and it was reported this weekend that the Arsenal players were told by the referee not to celebrate Saka’s goal in front of the crowd, in case it annoyed them.

While I understand the referee had the players’ safety in mind, the way this was framed in the media over the weekend sent a terrible message that those being abused need to adjust their behaviour to limit further attacks.

The S*n, 19/12/21

Perhaps that headline could have read, “Leeds fan arrested for alleged racist abuse towards Arsenal bench as Gunners’ celebrations ruined”, making Arsenal the victim, which they were (allegedly) rather than implying they were doing something wrong.