US Edition
Premier League football match stopped after racist abuse of player reported
The Premier League invoked its anti-discrimination protocol after abuse targeted Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida, leading to a match pause and investigation.
- On March 22, 2026, the Premier League said the Newcastle United v Sunderland match at St James' Park was paused in the second half after discriminatory abuse was reported against Lutsharel Geertruida.
- The Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol requires the referee to stop play and report incidents to the home club safety officer via the fourth official, with players removable after police consultation and possible match abandonment if abuse continues.
- The match officials, including referee Anthony Taylor, spoke to Geertruida before discussing the incident with Newcastle's manager, captains, and stadium officials, with CCTV and eyewitness accounts to be used in the investigation.
- The result, a 2-1 Sunderland victory, was secured by a late Brian Brobbey goal, but reporters said the discriminatory abuse incident will overshadow Sunderland's strong day.
- The Premier League pledged to support the player and both clubs, and said it will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities, emphasizing that 'racism has no place in our game.
39 Articles
39 Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
Game stops after racial abuse
Sunderland's Lutsharel Geertruida was the target of the abuse that resulted in play being stopped.
For the first time in the history of the Premier League, a game was interrupted for the activation of the anti-racism protocol. It happened during Newcastle Sunderland, a high-voltage derby in and out of the field, suspended for a few minutes in the second time after the denunciation of racist insults directed at Lutsharel Geertruida. The episode emerged progressively. At the beginning of the shooting the game stopped following an injury of Sven…
The Independent
The Independent (US)Newcastle vs Sunderland halted for alleged racist abuse of Lutsharel Geertruida
The match was stopped for three minutes early in the second half after Geertruida was the victim of alleged racist abuse from the crowd, with the Premier League quickly releasing a statement
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
