Blackburn Rovers Football Club News

• Nickname:Rovers
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Steve Kean

• Ground:Ewood Park
• Capacity:31,367

Hughes demands action

20 Oct 2006 - 13:36:22

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Angry Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has demanded UEFA take action over claims that Benni McCarthy was racially abused during Rovers' 2-1 victory over Wisla Krakow.

The South Africa striker claims that he was subjected to the abuse from an opposition player during the match and Rovers immediately reported the incident to the UEFA official present in Poland.

"UEFA should take as strong action as it's allowed to do," claimed Hughes.

"It's important we highlight these things because there's no place for them. This needs to be eradicated.

"Benni was upset by a number of personal comments directed at him by one of their players.

"It happened right throughout the game. Benni, to his credit, did not react to them and he highlighted the issue to a number of Krakow players and the referee at half-time.

"The situation still developed and there were more comments at the end of the game."

Meanwhile, the Football Association has backed the Ewood Park club and will also look into the incident.

"If this is the case it's very disturbing," said FA spokesman Adrian Bevington. "We treat these allegations seriously and we'll work with the club and UEFA.

"Unfortunately we've seen the recent trend where, when our clubs have gone away in Europe or the national side has gone away, we've seen them encounter situations of racism."