‘They won’t do anything about it’,says Muslim star
EGYPTIAN striker Mido has launched a scathing attack on the Football Association after he was subjected to racist abuse by Newcastle United fans during last weekends Tees-Tyne derby.
The Middlesborough striker accused the FA of doing nothing to tackle racist abuse in the game in the wake of the 0-0 draw at the Riverside Stadium.
A section of Newcastle fans shouted terrorist-related abuse at the Egyptian international as he warmed up on the touchline.
He was on the end of the same abuse last season when the two teams met at the Riverside, yet the FA took no hard action then choosing to simply write to Newcastle United warning them about the conduct of their fans.
Mido believes failure to take significant action against the guilty fans last year has given them an “invitation” to continue with the vile abuse.
The striker told Egyptian TV: “They kept chanting disgusting words, racist words about Islam, and unfortunately this is the second time the same fans have done this. “It has happened again as the English FA did nothing the first time. I considered this as an invitation from the FA for the Newcastle supporters to repeat such shameful acts. I can assure you that nothing is going to happen this time again. “The FA said that they will be investigating the issue, and will make use of the latest technology to stop such racial abuse of players.
“But I feel that nothing will happen. I am asking the FA to take serious action to stop such a thing.
“These chants are not directed at me as a person, but they are directed at Islam as a religion.”
A spokesperson for the FA said they were committed in tackling racist abuse.
“Last season we wrote to Newcastle and made it quite clear we did not want a repetition of this incident,” the spokesperson said.
“We have written to them again and await their response. In the meantime, I would repeat that we condemn any racist abuse or chanting and are determined to stamp it out. We will also help focus on identifying the individuals and support the club and police in taking the strongest possible action against them.”
Newcastle United are expected to bring up the issue in the programme for this weekends home clash with Stoke City.
