Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has heaped praise on Rob Holding after the defender reported an incident of alleged racist abuse during the Gunners’ victory over Leeds on Saturday evening.
The match at Elland Road was paused midway through the first-half as Holding alerted the fourth official to having heard the abuse directed at one of Arsenal’s substitutes by a member of the crowd.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed after that match the the club had formally reported the incident and, later on Saturday evening, Leeds announced that an arrest had been made.
“You have to applaud people like Rob Holding,” Wright said. “When you’re being racially abused as a black person it’s very difficult to get up and do that without people coming down and piling on and saying: ‘Here he goes, here he goes’.
“For Rob Holding to do that for his teammates - for me, being in a dressing room and knowing what that’s like, wanting that kind of help - is fantastic.”
In a statement after the match, Leeds gave an update on the incident.
It read: “Leeds United can confirm that an investigation into claims of racism during the first half of our game with Arsenal today are underway and that one arrest has been made in connection to the allegation.
“Racism will not be tolerated at Leeds United and any supporter found to be using racist language will be subject to a life time ban for all Leeds United games.”
