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Hughes demands action over racism FA steps into McCarthy racism row
(about 6 hours later)
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has asked Uefa to take action over claims Benni McCarthy was racially abused during the Uefa Cup tie in Poland on Thursday. The Football Association has formally asked Uefa to investigate racism allegations made by Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy.
McCarthy said he was a target during the 2-1 group win against Wisla Krakow. McCarthy, 28, claims to have been abused by Wisla Krakow defender Nikola Mijailovic in Thursday's Uefa Cup tie.
The FA confirmed: "We have written to Uefa, asking them to investigate allegations of racism."
Wisla claim they have already investigated the incident and found nothing to substantiate the claims.
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes asked Uefa to take action and the FA has added its support.
Uefa has warned it may be difficult to find any "hard evidence", but Hughes says: "Uefa should take as strong action as it is allowed to do.Uefa has warned it may be difficult to find any "hard evidence", but Hughes says: "Uefa should take as strong action as it is allowed to do.
"It is important we highlight these things because there is no place for them. This needs to be eradicated." "It is important we highlight these things because there is no place for them in sport or life. This needs to be eradicated."
Hughes said McCarthy approached Swedish referee Stefan Johannesson at half-time but still the taunts continued. Hughes said McCarthy approached Swedish referee Stefan Johannesson at half-time but the taunts continued.
The problem will be finding hard evidence to pass any sanctions Uefa's William GaillardThe problem will be finding hard evidence to pass any sanctions Uefa's William Gaillard
"Benni was upset by a number of personal comments directed at him by one of their players," added the Blackburn boss."Benni was upset by a number of personal comments directed at him by one of their players," added the Blackburn boss.
"It happened right throughout the game. Benni, to his credit, did not react to them and he highlighted the issue to a number of Krakow players and the referee at half-time."It happened right throughout the game. Benni, to his credit, did not react to them and he highlighted the issue to a number of Krakow players and the referee at half-time.
"The situation still developed and there were more comments at the end of the game."The situation still developed and there were more comments at the end of the game.
"I spoke to Benni this morning as we trying to build a statement, which we will produce at some point on Friday."
But Uefa spokesman William Gaillard admitted: "We have no reason to doubt Benni's word, he has been in the game for a long time now, playing at the top level.But Uefa spokesman William Gaillard admitted: "We have no reason to doubt Benni's word, he has been in the game for a long time now, playing at the top level.
"But the problem will be finding hard evidence to pass any sanctions.""But the problem will be finding hard evidence to pass any sanctions."
The Football Association says it will help Blackburn pursue these claims with European football's governing body. The Football Association pledged to help Blackburn pursue their claims with European football's governing body.
"If this is the case it is very disturbing," said FA spoeksman Adrian Bevington. "We treat these allegations seriously and we'll work with the club and Uefa. "If this is the case it is very disturbing," said FA spokesman Adrian Bevington. "We treat these allegations seriously and we'll work with the club and Uefa.
"Unfortunately we have seen the recent trend where when our clubs have gone away in Europe or the national side has gone away, we've seen them encounter situations of racism. "Unfortunately we have seen the recent trend where, when our clubs have gone away in Europe or the national side has gone away, we've seen them encounter situations of racism.
"We'll wait and see what Blackburn have to say, I'm sure they will be in contact with us if that was the case." Wisla's director of communications claimed the club had no case to answer.
Vit Nielskee told Radio Five Live: We've made a survey, we talked with the coach, we've looked through the situation which was recorded and cannot find any basis that there were any racist comment going on during the game."
Spokesman for the Kick It Out campaign, Piara Powar, wants action taken against the culprits.
Powar said: "We hope Blackburn pursue this or we will see it happen time and time again and end up talking about the same things in five or six years' time.
"Footballers are as savvy as anyone else and can say things which are not in earshot of the referee.
"If they do this and it is not reported then it leads to a stalemate."