The heated East London derby between Millwall and West Ham United delivered all the drama expected from one of English football’s fiercest rivalries. However, the match now risks being overshadowed by an allegation that could have serious consequences for West Ham forward Taty Castellanos.
The two London rivals met for the first time in 15 seasons on Saturday, and the long-awaited encounter certainly lived up to its reputation for intensity.
Millwall appeared to be heading towards a memorable victory after taking a 2-0 lead through first-half goals from Caleb Taylor and Camiel Neghli. West Ham, however, fought back to secure a 2-2 draw, while a controversial late red card added even more drama to an already fiery contest.
But attention has now turned to an incident involving Castellanos and Millwall goalkeeper Filip Marschall.
Taty Castellanos Could Be Hit With Six-Match Suspension
The alleged incident occurred in the 65th minute, with Millwall still leading 2-0.
Marschall was collecting what appeared to be a routine ball while being pressured by Castellanos. The Millwall goalkeeper then immediately approached referee Paul Tierney and appeared visibly unhappy about something that had happened.
Television footage showed Marschall gesturing towards his head before appearing to wipe something from his hair with his shirt.
The allegation made by the Millwall goalkeeper is that Castellanos spat at him.
However, the available television footage has so far failed to provide a conclusive view of exactly what happened.
Following the match, Millwall manager Alex Neil backed his goalkeeper’s account, saying: “I’d be extremely surprised if Filip’s made an accusation and nothing has happened.”
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, meanwhile, said he had not seen the footage or spoken to Castellanos about the incident.
“I didn’t see the images, I didn’t speak with Taty,” Nuno said, adding that he would need to watch the footage before commenting further.
The allegation is now expected to be examined by the EFL, and Castellanos could face a significant suspension if the charge is proven.
According to reports from The Sun, the West Ham forward could receive a six-game ban if he is found guilty of spitting at Marschall.
What Are Fans Saying About the Alleged Incident?
The incident has already sparked significant debate among supporters online, particularly because the television footage does not appear to provide a definitive answer.
Some West Ham supporters have argued that the available footage is inconclusive and that there is not enough evidence to establish that Castellanos deliberately spat at Marschall.
Other supporters have pointed towards photographs circulating online which appear to show Castellanos spitting during the match.
However, Mail journalist James Sharpe has reported that West Ham believe those photographs relate to a different moment in the game and therefore do not prove what happened during the alleged incident involving Marschall.
The uncertainty surrounding the footage has left supporters debating whether there is enough evidence for disciplinary action to be taken.
For now, the final decision will rest with the relevant football authorities after they have examined all of the available evidence.
Why Could Castellanos Face Such a Heavy Punishment?
Spitting at another player has historically attracted serious disciplinary punishment in English football.
In December 2025, Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri received a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine after being found guilty of spitting towards Leeds United supporters during a Premier League match.
An even closer example came in January 2025, when Norwich City striker Borja Sainz was handed a six-match ban and fined £12,000 after being found to have spat at Sunderland defender Chris Mepham during a Championship fixture.
Sainz subsequently accepted responsibility for his actions and expressed his regret over the incident.
A six-match suspension has long been the standard minimum punishment for spitting at another player.
The minimum ban was increased from four matches to six in 2016, bringing the Football Association’s punishment into line with FIFA’s disciplinary approach. Spitting is classified within FIFA’s rules as physical or aggressive behaviour.
The severity of the punishment reflects how seriously the authorities view the offence.
Why Is Spitting Treated So Seriously?
There are also concerns surrounding the potential spread of infections.
In 2009, during the swine flu outbreak, the Health Protection Agency warned that footballers should avoid spitting on the pitch because it could potentially increase the risk of transmitting infections.
However, the reaction to spitting goes beyond health concerns.
The act has long been regarded as one of the most offensive forms of behaviour in football, largely because of the strong feelings of disgust associated with deliberately spitting at another person.
A 2024 article published by psychology website Neurolaunch described spitting at someone as an act that can communicate humiliation and contempt, rather than simply anger.
That helps explain why incidents involving spitting often attract such strong reactions from players, supporters and disciplinary authorities.
West Ham Wait For Clarity Over Castellanos Allegation
At this stage, the crucial issue is whether there is sufficient evidence to establish that Castellanos deliberately spat at Marschall.
The footage available to television viewers has been inconclusive, but additional camera angles or evidence could potentially provide the EFL with a clearer picture of what happened.
West Ham will therefore be waiting to see whether the governing body takes disciplinary action against their forward.
If Castellanos is ultimately found guilty of spitting at Marschall, the precedent from previous cases suggests that he could face a six-game suspension, potentially ruling him out of a significant portion of West Ham’s upcoming fixtures.
For now, however, the allegation remains just that — an allegation — with the evidence still to be fully examined.