Racism claims mar Manchester City youth game
A friendly match between Manchester City's elite development under-21 team and Croatian side HNK Rijeka has been cancelled after 19-year-old midfielder Seko Fofana was allegedly racially abused by an opposition player.
Manchester City officials decided to withdraw their players a minute before half-time during the match in Novigrad, west Croatia. HNK Rijeka were leading 1-0 when play was abandoned.
A statement posted on the club's website read: " Manchester City's EDS U21 game with HNK Rijeka has today been cancelled due to an alleged incident of racial abuse toward the club's young midfielder, Seko Fofana by a member of the opposing team.
"Club representatives in Croatia and in Manchester are liaising with officials, the match organisers and the Croatian Football Association to pursue this matter further."
HNK Rijeka, however, appear to have distanced themselves from speculation that one of their players made racist comments towards Fofana.
A statement on their website read: "Manchester City coach Patrick Vieira entered the field, something was discussed with the referee, and then to the amazement of a well-filled stadium he took his team off the pitch. What are the reasons? They are known only to him."
France Under-19 international Fofana joined City from Ligue 1 side FC Lorient in January 2013.
From Eurosport.
Latest News Articles

Statement from the Fare network on the English FA and Scottish FA bans on trans women
The Fare network is disappointed at the decisions announced today by the English Football Association (FA) and the Scottish FA (SFA) to ban…

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”

EMPOWER international Conference for refugee women
TRAVEL AND HOTEL BURSARIES AVAILABLE

Who is Janusz Waluś? And why he is a hero to some far-right football fans
In recent weeks banners and chants celebrating an obscure Polish man have been making the rounds at football matches by far-right supporters. The man,…

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

Statement from the Fare network on the English FA and Scottish FA bans on trans women
The Fare network is disappointed at the decisions announced today by the English Football Association (FA) and the Scottish FA (SFA) to ban…

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”

EMPOWER international Conference for refugee women
TRAVEL AND HOTEL BURSARIES AVAILABLE

Who is Janusz Waluś? And why he is a hero to some far-right football fans
In recent weeks banners and chants celebrating an obscure Polish man have been making the rounds at football matches by far-right supporters. The man,…

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

Statement from the Fare network on the English FA and Scottish FA bans on trans women
The Fare network is disappointed at the decisions announced today by the English Football Association (FA) and the Scottish FA (SFA) to ban…

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”