Policing boss: Wycombe striker chanting part of "problem of disorder" in football
MK Dons' win at Wycombe was stopped after offensive chanting at Adebayo Akinfenwa
A leading police official has said crowd trouble at English Football League games at the weekend, including the abuse of a Wycombe striker, "illustrate the problem of disorder at all levels of the game."
MK Dons' win at Wycombe saw supporters at the away end aiming an offensive chant at Chairboys striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.
It led to the game being briefly stopped, a decision applauded by manager Gareth Ainsworth.
The EFL issued a statement on Sunday stressing that anti-social behaviour is "unacceptable" and that offenders can expect to be dealt with by police.
Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs' Council's football policing lead, has already called for an urgent meeting with the English game's authorities to discuss the increase in disorder at matches.
There is no update over the proposed meeting, but Roberts said events at Crewe, Millwall and Wycombe had strengthened police concerns about crowd behaviour.
"The events at the weekend which took place in the Football League simply reinforce the concerns we have been raising and illustrate the problem of disorder at all levels of the game," said Chief Constable Roberts.
Today (31st January), Wycombe's chairman, Rob Couhig, has also published a statement, in support of Akinfenwa: 'One of the first things we had to do this year was ban several of our own fans for their behaviour. It was not easy but we will not have an abusive atmosphere. Your children and you should not have to put up with it. No one should.
'All of which brings me to this past weekend‘s incidents involving my friend, Bayo Akinfenwa. From the first day I met him, I knew that he was a person who understands the principles of leadership. He has the capacity to take a situation seriously and yet enjoy himself. Fans throughout the world love to watch him play and appreciate his enjoyment of good natured banter with opposing fans and players.
'At the same time, he and I agree there’s no place in this world for hateful speech or attacks on others. I was tremendously proud of the way he, the gaffer, and the rest of the team handled the situation on Saturday. It was perfect. Kudos as well to the MK Dons’ captain, manager, and players. There is simply no excuse for such behaviour and we will not tolerate it. Those responsible will be expelled and not allowed to return.'