FA set to probe Cole racism allegations

WEST HAM striker Carlton Cole’s insistence that he was racially abused by Millwall fans is being dealt with as part of the FA’s wider investigation into the violence that shamed English football on Tuesday night.

Cole claims to have been the victim of racist ‘monkey’ taunts from Millwall fans, while Jason Price was also reportedly targeted by home fans during the Carling Cup tie between both clubs at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday night.

The ‘Kick It Out’ organisation believes the game will have suffered another “depressing development” if racist chanting allegations against both players are proven.

The tie, which West Ham won 3-1, was marred by three pitch invasions with fans also confronting police inside and outside the ground on a night of shame for English football.

One man was also stabbed as fighting between rival fans took place outside the ground.

But the game’s equality and inclusion organisation insists that if the racist allegations are true then it will heap more misery on the game’s reputation.

Herman Ouseley, founder and chair of Kick It Out, football’s equality and inclusion campaign, said: “If there were racist chants being directed at any of the players involved, then it’s a depressing development on an already shameful night. Football in this country has come a long way in recent history. Incidents like this, however, demonstrate the work still to be done. We’re determined to continue making football a racism free environment.”