Sport 29-10-2002 Barmby "Devastated" By Racism Claims who: Leeds midfielder Nick Barmby what: Says George Boateng "invented" racism claims to save himself where: Elland Road, LEEDS when: Yesterday snippet: Nicky Barmby yesterday "categorically denied racially abusing Middlesbrough`s George Boateng during Leeds United`s 2-2 draw at the Riverside," reports The Independent as the football once again turned its collective head towards the issue of racism in the game. "The Leeds midfielder, whose face bore scratch marks he alleges were made by Boateng, said at a news conference called by his club yesterday that he was `absolutely devastated` when he discovered that the Dutchman had accused him of racism. `I haven`t got a racist bone in my body,` he said. `Afterwards he was the one who wanted to apologise to me. If I racially abused a bloke, surely he would want an apology.`" While all the papers agree with Barmby`s version of the story, The Telegraph goes as far as to suggest Boateng may be in line for an FA charge if his accusations are found to be baseless. "While the FA are fully behind the Kick Racism Out Of Football campaign," writes Christopher Davies, "they are also concerned about racist accusations which cannot be substantiated." "He`s [Boateng] set a dangerous precedent," warned Leeds manager Venables, who, says The Guardian, is likely to take up the matter personally with his Boro counterpart Steve McClaren. "I don`t think George realises what he`s done. We`re trying to sort out the racism problem and then something like this happens." [... more]

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