Cisse blasts 'stupid' racists

Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has vowed not to be ground down by racists.

The Frenchman was subjected to racial abuse from the crowd in Bulgaria during Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League qualifying win over CSKA Sofia last night.

The matter is to be reported by UEFA delegate Trygve Borno and CSKA could face a disciplinary hearing next week if it is decided they have a case to answer.

Cisse, who scored the opening goal, told the Liverpool Echo: “It is hurtful when it happens. It began when I tried to cross the ball they started to do all these monkey noises.

“It’s a shame this happens but there are lots of stupid people sometimes at these games and as a player you can’t do anything about it.

“You can say UEFA should take stronger action when it happens but I’m not sure what they can do about it. You can’t really stop these kind of people doing this.

“Normally I don’t have this kind of problem. This is the first time anything like this has happened to me in any game I’ve played.

“I’m a strong enough person to deal with this and I don’t let it affect me. I’m just sad we have to talk about these issues rather than the football.”

UEFA will make a decision what action to take after receiving their report from Norwegian delegate Borno.

A statement from the European governing body read: “UEFA is aware that incidents of a racist nature have taken place at the CSKA Sofia-Liverpool match, and is waiting to receive the official delegate’s report.

“At present, it seems probable that, should a disciplinary case be opened, it would be dealt with by the UEFA control and disciplinary body at their next meeting scheduled for August 18.”