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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Paul Britton

Investigation into alleged racist abuse at Morecambe v Bolton Wanderers match ends with no further action being taken

A football club says no further action will be taken by police after an investigation into an alleged racist incident during a League One game.

Morecambe FC hosted Bolton Wanderers FC at the Mazuma Stadium in February, with the honours eventually ending even at 1-1. But the match was suspended for 10 minutes - with both sets of players taken off the pitch - following allegations of racist abuse directed towards the Bolton bench and dugout.

Morecambe FC has today - Wednesday - issued a statement saying Lancashire Police has confirmed to them no further action will be taken in relation to the racism allegation.

The club said it remains committed that its matchday environment 'shall be one that is entirely inclusive, respectful and safe, so that everyone can enjoy it'.

In the statement, Morecambe said: "Today, Lancashire Police have confirmed that no further action will be taken in relation to an allegation of racist abuse at our fixture versus Bolton Wanderers last season.

"As attendances at the Mazuma Stadium continue to grow, we remain committed to our belief that the matchday environment shall be one that is entirely inclusive, respectful and safe, so that everyone can enjoy it.

Bolton Wanderers FC (ABNM Photography)

"Morecambe Football Club continue to call upon clubs and the authorities to work together when faced with challenging situations such as this one, as it is only by cooperating and communicating in a collaborative manner that we can make the game that we all love better."

At the time, Lancashire Police said a 61-year-old man from Morecambe was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order. He was subsequently released on bail.

"Other lines of enquiry relating to the allegations of racism are being developed and we continue to take the matter extremely seriously," added a force spokesman in February.

The Manchester Evening News contacted Lancashire Police for an update on the case and to confirm the arrested man's status. A spokesman confirmed no further action was being taken against him.

The game finished 1-1 after Wanderers' Amadou Bakayoko's late equaliser cancelled out Cole Stockton's opener for Morecambe, which came after Ricardo Almeida Santos was shown a red card and James Trafford had saved Stockton's subsequent penalty.

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