Anti-racism group Kick It Out has publicly criticised Millwall manager Alex Neil after comments he made about stopping a match following an accusation of racial abuse.
The organisation said managers have a responsibility to "set the tone" and called on football leaders to support measures that protect players and address discrimination. Kick It Out’s intervention underlines ongoing concerns about how incidents of alleged abuse are handled in the sport.
Neil’s remarks, which questioned the decision to pause play in response to an allegation, prompted the reaction from the campaign group. While specifics of the exchange were not provided by Kick It Out in its statement, the organisation emphasised the importance of taking allegations seriously and of visible backing from managers when incidents occur.
The episode adds to a wider debate in the game over how best to respond to racist abuse and ensure players feel safe to report incidents. Kick It Out’s call for leadership from managers mirrors repeated appeals from campaigners and governing bodies for unified and decisive action against discrimination in football.