CLAIMS OF RACISM TO ASSISTANT MAR DRAW

PORTSMOUTH boss John Mousinho apologised to assistant referee Bhupinder Singh Gill for alleged discriminatory comments made from the stands during the draw with Oxford United.

- Jack James

Gill, who became the first Sikh to officiate a Premier League match in 2023, drew referee Lewis Smith's attention to alleged offensive remarks made towards him during the second half.

Smith paused the match and reported the comments to the fourth official before a tannoy announcement was made to warn spectators about bad behaviour.

"A discriminatory comment was made to the linesman," confirmed Smith.

"I think there was something said to the linesman on the far side," said Mousinho about the incident. "I've apologised to the linesman after the game if anything was said and I know that it will be dealt with appropriately." Oxford head coach Des Buckingham added: "There were comments made which the referee felt he needed to report, but I'll leave it to the referees to sort." It put a downer on an entertaining clash which saw Louie Sibley net his first Oxford goal to cancel out Brighton loanee Mark O'Mahony's second goal of the week.

Pompey remain winless on their return to the Championship, their worst start to a campaign since 2009-10 - a season they were relegated from the Premier League.