Crawley Town players allegedly segregated on racial grounds

Simon Lloyd

The League Two club are investigating the serious allegations

A former Crawley Town player has alleged that players at the League Two club were segregated in the changing rooms on racial grounds, with players from ethnic backgrounds made to change away from their white teammates.

The club announced last month that they had suspended manager John Yems after receiving “serious and credible” accusations that he had used discriminatory language and behaviour against his own players.

The club is conducting an investigation into the allegations with as many as seven members of the first team squad reported to have made complaints.

Sky News spoke to a former Crawley player, who left the club after being managed by Yems. The player insisted he remained anonymous, but said claims about his former manager’s racist language and behaviour were “all true”.

As well as the club’s investigation, the Football Association and the PFA are all conducting separate ongoing inquiries.

Yems accused of racist language and behaviour

62-year-old Yems has yet to make public comment on the allegations since his suspension.

According to the Daily Mail, the FA are investigating him for for allegedly targeting his players with racist insults including “suicide bomber”, “terrorist” and “Zulu Warrior”, as well as the claims he ran a segregated training ground.

Crawley’s new American owners, investment group WAGMI United, acted quickly to remove Yems from his position after hearing the disturbing allegations made against him.

He was ordered to leave the team hotel less than two hours before a league game against Mansfield, with assistant manager Lewis Young taking charge in his place.

Crawley statement on Yems’ departure

‘Late Friday, Crawley Town Football Club was made aware of serious and credible accusations that first-team manager John Yems used discriminatory language and behaviour toward our players,’ a club statement said at the time.

‘We take these allegations seriously and, effective immediately, have suspended him indefinitely as we investigate and consider further punitive action.

‘Let us be clear: Crawley Town Football Club stands behind our players, employees and supporters, and we will never tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind.’