On a day when eyes were focused on The Den with a fear that a fierce football rivalry could see the supporters of Millwall and West Ham make the headlines, it was one of the players that sparked the controversy. Taty Castellanos is at the centre of the storm, after it was alleged the 27-year-old West Ham forward spat at Millwall keeper Filip Marschall during a pulsating game which ended in a 2-2 draw and with the Hammers down to 10 men. The controversy, which unfortunately took some of the shine off an incredible contest, occurred in the 65th minute with the Lions leading 2-0.
Marschall was waiting with the ball at his feet until he was closed down, only picking it up to launch a clearance as Castellanos raced forward to apply pressure. TV cameras caught Marschall, 23, appearing to show Premier League referee Paul Tierney a spot on his shirt he claimed was spit. After the game, broadcasters were told Millwall had lodged a complaint to the match officials.
Millwall boss Alex Neil and Hammers counterpart Nuno Espirito Santo both told reporters they had not seen the incident, which was on the far side of the pitch from the dugouts. Neil said: "I haven't asked [Filip] about it, but it's like anything else. I'm sure there'll be footage of it - or not if it didn't happen.
"I'd be extremely surprised if Filip's made an accusation and nothing's happened. I'm sure the authorities will deal with it. "I didn't know what had happened, I'd just seen Filip walking out with the ball and thinking 'Where's he going?'.
"And then the fourth official basically said that there was an accusation of spitting." Nuno added: "I'm aware of the allegation. I didn't see the images, I didn't speak with Taty [Castellanos]. "I cannot go much further on that, I'm sorry.
For me to answer that, I have to see it. I'm going to look at the images. I cannot answer." Spitting offences typically come with a six-match ban, if proven.
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