FA to investigate racist claims

The Football Association will examine allegations that Cardiff striker Michael Chopra suffered racist abuse following the Coca-Cola Championship match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The FA will receive referee Steve Tanner’s report from the match early next week, however that is not expected to contain details of the alleged incident.

Cardiff have told Press Association Sport that the referee advised he had not been aware of any racism.

Jay Bothroyd claimed his fellow Bluebirds striker Chopra was the subject of a slur from a Palace player after the match at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Players from both sides had to be separated following the final whistle of the 1-1 draw, and trouble reportedly continued in the tunnel.

Bothroyd claimed the problems started after Chopra – who is of Indian descent – was targeted.

The FA would need evidence before taking action, and an FA spokesman said: “We are reliant on being provided with witness statements.”

A Cardiff spokesman said: “As a club we utterly condemn any racist comments from anyone but in this particular case the referee tells us he didn’t see or hear anything.”

Bothroyd has said he was told of the alleged abuse by Chopra.

Bothroyd said: “I wasn’t there but I spoke to Chops and he said one of their boys made a racist comment to him.

“That is obviously not acceptable in this game and it’s something I think the referee might have to deal with.

“We were wearing T-shirts that said ‘Kick Racism Out Of Football’ and then something like that happens.”