Ex-Premier League star Danny Mills’ son furiously confronts French Olympics rival and accuses him of ‘taking him down’ after he fell during chaotic end to men’s 5000m in Paris – before officials make shock ruling

The men’s 5,000m descended into chaos today when Team GB star George Mills tripped over in the final lap of the chaotic heat – before furiously confronting his French Olympic rival. 

The Olympian – who is the son of former Premier League defender Danny Mills – was one of four runners to be felled during a dramatic sprint finish.

Mills was sitting in the middle of the pack when he tumbled to the floor after colliding with one of his rivals.

After eventually crossing the line in 18th place, he made a beeline for France‘s Hugo Hay and started furiously pushing him.

Mills has still been advanced to the next round by the race referee following the collision, which the star claimed was the only thing stopping him from qualifying. 

Replays of the race appear to show Hay shoving Mills into the path of the other racers, which sent him dramatically flying onto the ground.

When asked what had happened after the race, a furious Mills told the BBC: ‘I think it’s pretty clear. I got stepped out on as I was about to kick on the home straight and boom, the French lad took me down.’ 

George Mills – who is the son of former Premier League midfielder Danny Mills – was one of four runners to be felled during a dramatic sprint finish

Great Britain’s George Mills and France’s Hugo Hay following the Men’s 5000m heats

George Mills with his father, ex-Premier League star Danny Mills

Mills looked furious after the run in which he was seen toppling to the ground

Mills is seen tumbling to the ground towards the end of the men’s 5,000m race 

Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Britain’s George Mills and Refugee Team’s Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu fall as other athletes continue competing in the men’s 5000m heat

Poeple have taken to social media to sympathise with Mills after he fell during the race 

When quizzed on what he told Hay after the race, he responded: ‘I probably wouldn’t be allowed to say.’

Mills said he hopes they will put an appeal in, adding: ‘From my perspective that was the perfect qualifier for me. Going through the first 2,000 in six minutes. I was like ‘alright – nobody in this field can run away from me at this pace.’ 

‘So I was just sitting, waiting and biding my time, gonna kick off down the home straight and bang hit the deck. What can you do?’

Giving his verdict, Hays said he was the one who was shoved, claiming: ‘They pushed me in fact. I didn’t feel anything. The Englishman came up to me and was very angry. 

‘Everybody was pushing each other and I didn’t think that I put my shoulder into him.’

The race was marred by controversy, with a camera man also seen getting in the way of runners on the track too.

Former Olympic silver medallist Steve Cram, commentating on the race for the BBC, said Mills had got himself into a ‘bad position’.

Mills of Team Great Britain reacts after competing in the Men’s 5000m Round 1

Hugo Hay of Team France and George Mills of Team Great Britain react after competing in the Men’s 5000m 

Hugo Hay of Team France and George Mills of Team Great Britain have a conversation after competing in the Men’s 5000m

Hugo Hay of Team France and George Mills of Team Great Britain converse after the run 

Hay claimed that he was in fact the one who was pushed, after he was furiously confronted by Mills 

‘George was in a bad position from a long way out, he should have checked out much earlier,’ Cram said.

‘George, from what I can see there, did do a big push there in the home straight and it will be really interesting to see what they (race officials) decide.

‘There’s lots of experienced men in there and yes, everyone thinks they can kick, but when you get to that situation [very slow pace] the chances of people going down are increased incredibly.’

Refugee Olympic Team athlete Dominic Lobalu and Dutchman Mike Foppen also went to the ground as they didn’t have time to respond to the collision ahead of them. 

Foppen appeared to land on the back of his head when he hit the ground and was seen holding onto it after he crossed the line. 

Fortunately for all four athletes that hit the deck in the collision, they were given a post-race reprieve as officials handed them a spot in the final.