Southgate Defends Newcastle United!

Last updated : 01 December 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

The Football Association are investigating alleged racist chanting directed at trhe Middlesbrough striker.

The Egyptian was briefly subjected to Islamophobic taunts while he was warming up, a repeat of scenes in the same fixture last season.

An FA spokesman told the Daily Telegraph: "We'll have to look at it. We'll speak to the clubs. This will most likely involve working with Newcastle to try to prevent it happening again.

"The police may also be involved in helping identify any offenders because this is potentially a criminal offence. We want to make it clear you can't get away with chants like this."

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate: "We have to rise above it. If people want to shout those things it's a reflection on them. There's a danger we go on a witch hunt. What do you do? Punish the club?

"They can't do anything about their travelling fans. It's individual decisions to sing what they want. I don't think that's fair. How can a club the size of Newcastle control individuals?

"It's a sensitive one and I understand the importance, but I don't want to put the pressure on an excellent club like Newcastle."

A spokesman for Newcastle: "The club does not condone any sort of offensive chanting."