Newport cup tie halted by alleged homophobic chants

A possible homophobic incident at Rodney Parade has prompted the Football Association and South Wales Police to consider an investigation. Newport County’s FA Cup first-round tie against Walsall was briefly halted for five minutes in the second half after referee Robert Massey-Ellis addressed managers and captains and appeared to gesture toward the home crowd near the dugouts. The club could face an FA charge because homophobic or discriminatory chants violate FA rules and are also classified as hate crime. Newport manager Hayden Mullins said he didn’t hear discriminatory language himself but stated it “had no place” in football. He added that the referee reported the issue through the proper channels.