Ex-footballer denies 'race abuse'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7076146.stm

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Former England striker Ian Wright has denied allegations of racially abusing a black traffic warden in a row over a parking ticket, his agent said.

Jeff Weston said the alleged abuse occurred on 4 October and the warden "only now decided to come forward".

He said Mr Wright had said: "He [the warden] is a liar. He called me a white man who lives in a white man's road."

A police spokesman said: "Officers received an allegation of racial abuse which will be investigated."

Mr Weston said Mr Wright had also said: "I said to him, 'I'm sure your parents are happy that you've come to England and been a traffic warden instead of a lawyer or something'."

Mr Weston said: "We are not aware of any investigation."

The striker, who began his career with Crystal Palace before moving on to Arsenal, won 33 England caps and scored nine international goals.

He subsequently played for West Ham and Celtic before ending his career at Turf Moor in July 2000 to pursue a broadcasting career.

He was made an MBE in 2000.