Hartlepool United likely to avoid racism allegation punishment as Cleveland Police close case while FA say investigation into Ebbsfleet United defeat ongoing

Officially, the investigation remains ongoing in the eyes of the Football Association as Pools continue to wait for a formal response.

It’s been over four months since Hartlepool were beaten 1-0 by Ebbsfleet United in what would prove to be their final home match of the 2019-20 campaign.

The match would be shrouded in controversy as Fleet players Jermaine McGlashan and Jordan Holmes made separate allegations of racist and xenophobic abuse coming from the stands.

McGlashan alleged that a racial slur was directed at him by someone in the Mill House terrace during the game while goalkeeper Holmes alleged that a member of the Town End made a derogatory comment in reference to another Ebbsfleet player’s background. The match was stopped on both occasions as a result.

In response, Pools submitted a rebuttal featuring several eye-witness accounts which denied both allegations. The club's report detailed that the language used was foul but not racist or xenophobic in nature.

Ebbsfleet did not comment publicly on the incident and no further action has been taken by the FA to date.

And with inconclusive evidence supporting what was alleged to have been said, a Cleveland Police spokesperson told The Mail this week: “Following extensive enquiries with this investigation over the last few months, it has now been closed pending any new lines of enquiry coming to light.”

The FA’s guidance states that it will ‘work closely with the club[s] and the Police to ensure that those responsible are identified, dealt with by the club[s] concerned.’

While the FA’s stance remains that the investigation is ongoing, the fact that Cleveland Police have dropped the case without charging any individuals in regard to the allegations means it is unlikely that the club will face further action in that respect.

In an unrelated incident, a 44-year-old man was charged with invading the pitch during the same match. If Pools are to face any further punishment, it is likely to be down to the pitch invader rather than the allegations from the Ebbsfleet players.

If the club fails to ensure its spectators conduct themselves in an orderly fashion, it could be found in breach of FA Rule E20.

Last week, Pools boss Dave Challinor has been fined and charged with improper conduct by the FA for his red card following the full-time whistle in the match. He will serve a three-match touchline ban when football resumes.

Ebbsfleet defender Ayo Obileye, who was also sent off for a coming together with Challinor, is serving a three-match suspension.

In October, Pools were charged by the FA for failing to ensure its spectators refrained from using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour which included a reference to race and/or colour following events that took place during the home defeat to Dover Athletic.

The club was hit with a £7,500 fine – £5,000 of which is suspended until the end of the 2020-21 campaign subject to good behaviour.