Sport 22-11-2004 Blackburn Fans Accused Of Racism who: Birmingham City striker Dwight Yorke what: Says he was racially abused by Blackburn fans where: Ewood Park, BLACKBURN when: Yesterday snippet: Birmingham City`s Dwight Yorke says Blackburn Rovers supporters hurled racial abuse at him at Ewood Park yesterday afternoon, just days after the media united in condemnation of racist Spanish fans at Real Madrid`s Bernabeu stadium who made monkey noises at black England players during Wednesday night`s friendly with Spain. "That is sick," says Birmingham manager Steve Bruce, who told The Mirror that Yorke was "bitterly upset and angry" at the reaction to his arrival on the pitch in the 74th-minute as substitute for Darren Anderton. "It`s all right him getting a bit of stick [because he is a former Blackburn player] but when it comes to what we`ve just seen in midweek, everybody is sickened by it." "Cameramen and photographers confirmed the striker`s account of events," says The Guardian. "Last night Blackburn, while carefully avoiding commenting on the specific allegation of racism, issued a statement confirming that one spectator had been ejected for `making a hand gesture` towards Yorke as he limbered up. Moreover the club pledged to involve police and match stewards in an urgent inquiry and were studying CCTV footage of the incident last night." "We`ll be very disappointed if it shows that there`s been any evidence of racism, but if there has, we`ll take the strongest possible action," says Blackburn chief executive John Williams, quoted by the BBC. "This is not something that we want to tolerate at Ewood Park." [... more]

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