Mido blames FA for Islamophobic abuse

Middlesbrough striker Mido has blamed the Football Association for the Islamophobic chanting he suffered against Newcastle last weekend.

The FA are set to look into reports of abuse directed at the Egyptian striker during the Tees-Tyne derby after Mido was targeted for the second time in as many seasons.

And the Boro forward believes the FA’s lack of action when it happened last year contributed to a repeat this season.

“They kept chanting disgusting words, racist words about Islam and unfortunately, this is the second time that the same fans have done this,” Mido told Egyptian television station Al Hayat.

“It happened again because after the first time the English FA did nothing. I considered this as an invitation from the English FA to the Newcastle supporters to repeat such shameful acts.

“I can assure you that nothing is going to happen this time again. The English FA said that they will be investigating the issue and will make use of the latest technology to stop such racist abuse of players but I feel that nothing will happen.

“I am asking the English FA to take serious action to stop such things. These chants are not directed at me as a person but it is directed at Islam.”