Four EFL clubs in Plymouth, QPR, Birmingham and Exeter have taken to condemn reports of alleged racist abuse on Saturday afternoon.
Plymouth have addressed reports of alleged racist behaviour towards a QPR fan at the Championship fixture, with the incident has been reported to Devon and Cornwall Police for further investigation.
Meanwhile, allegations of racist abuse was also directed at Exeter midfielder Caleb Watts during a League One match at St. Andrew’s.
Exeter City also expressed their dismay over the incident, highlighting their zero-tolerance policy towards racism and working with authorities to address the issue.
Birmingham reposted Exeter’s statement on social media, showing solidarity in the fight against racial abuse in football.
Both clubs are collaborating with the police and anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out to support Caleb Watts and investigate the matter further.
Club Statement. pic.twitter.com/AQu6p0Gyrz
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) January 19, 2025
Plymouth said in a statement via social media and their website: “We are aware of reports of alleged racist behaviour towards a QPR fan at yesterday’s match.
“We have moved quickly to identify the offender and strongly condemn actions of this sort.
“Home Park is a place for everyone at the heart of the community and we thank the Green Army for reporting the offence to the club’s safety team enabling the club to pass on details of the individual to Devon and Cornwall Police.
“The investigation is now with the police and we await the outcome before further action is taken.”
Meanwhile, Birmingham retweeted Exeter’s statement on being ‘appalled’ by alleged racist abuse of player Caleb Watts, with a banana emoji sent to the footballer on Instagram.
Exeter City FC is appalled by the racist abuse sent to Caleb Watts on social media today.
The message is clear: racism has no place in our society. The club is working closely with the police and @kickitout, and are offering our support to Caleb.
We need your support to help… pic.twitter.com/ecnGogc096
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) January 18, 2025
It read: “Exeter City FC is appalled by the racist abuse sent to Caleb Watts on social media today.
“The message is clear: racism has no place in our society. The club is working closely with the police and @kickitout, and are offering our support to Caleb.
“We need your support to help eliminate this. If you witness or hear any racist behaviour, please don’t stay silent. Report it immediately at http://kickitout.org/report or call 020 3967 8989.
“Together, we can make a difference.”
Twitter users reacted as Plymouth, QPR, Birmingham and Exeter condemn reports of alleged racist abuse…
@KroB91875: Sorry for this. All the best to Caleb Watts. No place for racism
@jassyblue80: Disgusting. If he is a blues fan, then hopefully the club act and ban him. I hope Caleb Watts is OK. Kro
@owenc1875: Sorry to hear this guys, our club doesn’t accept this guy, hopefully he is found and banned
@keepsmiling08: Blues are very anti racism, we outed one apparent ‘fan’ of our own. Most of us have no place for it at our club. I hope he is okay and whatever was said by whomever does not represent our club xxxx
@BluenoseRoyal: Why do this? Hopefully the person concerned is found and banned.
@KarlHills2: Totally unacceptable. No place for racism in football and we apologise for this one morons behaviour. All the best to Caleb and we stand with him 
@Grykye: unacceptable and fucking disgraceful he isn’t one of us. hoping he gets banned
@MaddamsDean: Blues were probably the first multi racial club in terms of fans so this is absolutely disgusting and bang out of order
@jamesbcfcF1: Yes he was being an absolute windup to our fans but there is no need for this at all, appalling. That person doesn’t represent our fanbase one bit
@jakeb04_: not sure what’s happened here but can we not start throwing stuff around saying ‘classy as usual from birmingham’ or whatever, was most likely 1 idiot, doesn’t represent their fanbase
@darrensnowecfc: Fair play to @BCFC fans, most are calling it out for what it is, blatant racism
@99Maybelater99: as a Blue, disgusting, name and shame them and ban them from our club. Caleb, ignore the minority, hope you are listening to all those giving you support. Loved your fighting spirit tbh. Proper sickened
@Andrew_ALM_W: Hope Watts is ok. He’s a proper shithouse, but tbh I thought he was hilarious and not a bad player to boot. No excuse for the abuse he’s got, no proper blues fan would do that.
@jamezqpr1: 2 times since Christmas there’s been allegations of racism towards our fans. Good to see clubs getting these people out quickly, no place for it in football
@CMZ0007: Fantastic communication for stuff like this pity about the other stuff
@Kyiz69:
So disappointing to read this!
Well done to the people who reported it!
Hope the QPR fan is ok 
@MPAKRIGG: Anyone that witnesses this kind of behaviour should never not come forward. @kickitout@SkyFootball @SkyBetChamp. If you hear or see anything you should always report it and not let people like this continue to think it’s acceptable to behave in this manner 
@cumber34708: Well done Argyle. Any fan should feel welcomed and safe in our stadium, ad we would all expect at theirs.
@CWells_155074: Well done Argyle for quickly dealing with this situation. #QPR
@ChrisWillcocks1: Abhorrent – there will be people around that person who could / should have educated them
@zakbrownz: Hopefully we Ban him or her for life. They ain’t welcome at our club.
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