A supporter has been arrested at a Gillingham football match after racist abuse was reportedly levelled towards a player.

The man was pictured appearing to imitate a monkey after Newport's Omar Bogle scored from the penalty spot during The Gills’ 2-0 defeat at Priestfield Stadium today.

Recently, the FA handed the club a £12,500 fine and ordered it to form an action plan to eradicate abuse inside the stadium following three incidents last season involving racist and sexist comments.

Today, the club dished out an immediate lifetime ban to an individual who they announced had been arrested following the “disgusting” behaviour.

During the game, striker Omar Bogle converted both spot-kicks for the visitors.

But there was a delay in restarting the match following the first when abuse was aimed towards the goalscorer from the home end.

Widespread condemnation and anger could be heard following the incident as a spectator was led away by stewards.

As what appears to be a racist image circulated on social media, Gillingham's director of operations Joe Comper wrote on social media site X: “Disgusting from one individual in the Rainham End.

“Arrested, and a lifetime ban from Priestfield issued.

“Can't thank the large number of fans from around the stadium who are clearly as enraged as us. We really appreciate your support.”

In a further statement he said the club takes a “zero tolerance” stance towards racism and has been left feeling “disgusted” over the supporter’s actions.

He added: “We have dealt with it within 30 seconds, the person involved was taken and arrested by the Police.

“Statements have been taken throughout the game and we have actually spent a lot of time dealing with that incident throughout the game to make sure that the person gets dealt with, and dealt with appropriately, that will now be handled by the Police.

“I think it is quite clear – everyone has seen the video and everyone can see what has happened. But it’s important that we, as a club, show that we take it very seriously. We dealt with it very quickly and the person was dealt with.

“One thing that I want to make a point of saying, and I think this is important to note, we put out a statement last week asking for fans to come forward and help us deal with these problems.”

Describing the response from the majority of Gillingham fans today as “outstanding,” he continued: “Whilst I’ve seen a few people state online that they are `embarrassed to be a Gillingham fan.

“I understand that because of that one person but let me tell you, the number of people in this stadium, and there has been people on all three sides by the way, have come up to me.

“We have actually been struggling to deal with the number of people who are trying to tell us what happened, and that makes me proud. That makes me proud to be a Gillingham fan because the club is frustrated and are sick of it, and actually so are the majority of the fan base that are here.”

“They don’t want to see it, they understand the repercussions it can have on the club. The majority of people here are as desperate to stamp it out as we are.

“So that actually makes me proud and I am thankful to the fan base.

“That was the main reason I wanted to come on and make that point. Yes, it’s not a great look for the club, I’m not happy about it and I do not want these incidents to happen. But actually, most of the people here, related to Gillingham Football Club, don’t either.

“That was shown today and that’s helped us take action, so I’m thankful to the fans.”

Speaking after the match, a police spokesman said: “A man has been arrested following a report of racist abuse at a Gillingham FC match.

“Kent Police was notified of an incident during the League Two game against Newport County on the afternoon of Saturday 28 October 2023.

“A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence and taken into police custody.

“Officers are carrying out enquiries into any further offences which may have taken place at the match.”

In a statement this afternoon, Newport County said it is “extremely disappointed with the racist gesture made to striker Omar Bogle by a Gillingham supporter during today’s League Two fixture at Priestfield Stadium.

“Newport County abhors any forms of racism, prejudice or discrimination and has a zero-tolerance policy towards incidence of such nature.”