EXETER’S League One clash against Reading had to be suspended after reports of racist abuse from the stands.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw after Jack Marriott’s opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Jayden Wareham.
In the 74th minute, referee James Durkin decided to temporarily halt the proceedings after claims of a racist comment towards an Exeter player from the away support.
Durkin consulted both managers and captains as well as a steward before pausing the play.
An announcement was then played inside the ground revealing that discriminatory abuse had been reported and the match would be stopped in the event of further incidents.
It is the second time in three games that an Exeter home match has been halted by racist chanting from away fans.
Exeter’s Vertu Trophy clash against Cardiff had to be stopped temporarily after reports of discriminatory chanting from the away end.
And Grecians boss Gary Caldwell was far from happy after the game as he called for stronger action to be taken.
He said: “Racism from the Reading end towards a player on our team.
“It’s going to be dealt with by the referee and they’re sorting all that out now.
“But too many games are getting stopped for unacceptable chanting, unacceptable behaviour and hopefully we can kick it out.
“It’s not a problem in football, it’s a problem in society. It happens in other sports, it happens in other places and it’s incredible that it still happening in 2025.
“Hopefully the authorities in football can try to do something to change it.
“There’s thousands of people but for me if we can identify who it is then they shouldn’t be allowed in a football stadium again.
“We have to try and make the punishment fit the crime and there needs to be a zero tolerance to it in my opinion.”
The issue of racist chanting in football matches has become a growing talking point in recent years.
Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth had to be stopped in August after racist abuse was reported towards Cherries star Antoine Semenyo.
Last month, England captain Harry Kane said players were prepared to walk off the pitch during their World Cup qualifier away at Serbia if they heard racist chanting.
Serbia had to plead with home fans for good behaviour ahead of the game after being fined more than £600,000 in total for incidents involving discrimination from supporters.
The Serbian FA were later fined more than £75,000 after discriminatory behaviour was reported, as well as lasers being shone and inappropriate gestures.
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