Visiting Cardiff football fans have been condemned after a minute's silence for the Queen Mother had to be abandoned at Colchester United.
A section of the 1,200 Cardiff City fans at Layer Road could be heard chanting abusive language during the attempted 60-second hush on Saturday.
Referee Paul Danson ended the silence after 15 seconds leaving the U's followers unable to pay tribute to the Queen Mum.
Marie Partner, chief executive of Colchester, said she was appalled by the behaviour.
"It is quite disgusting that this should happen," she said.
"People were asked to stand quiet for one minute in respect and they could not do that. What is the world coming to? It is very upsetting for those who wanted to mark the silence."
Colchester MP Bob Russell has branded the Cardiff supporters "rotten" and called for action from the club chairman, manager and captain.
He said. "I will be contacting the club to let them know my views. They must do something to disassociate themselves from behaviour like this."
He said the atmosphere at Layer Road, where Cardiff secured a 1-0 win was strained after the interruption of the silence.
Mr Russell went on Cardiff BBC Radio yesterday to show his disgust and call for action.
No-one from Cardiff City was available for comment today.
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Published Monday, April 8, 2002
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