Team leaves pitch after racist chants

LONDON

QPR have called for Uefa to take the "strongest possible action" after the Championship club's Under-18 players walked off the pitch during a friendly in Spain following alleged racist abuse.

QPR defender Trent Mahorn took the step of leading his team-mates off the pitch after they were allegedly subjected to monkey noises and racist taunts from opposition players in a game against AD Nervion FC on August 8.

The referee is reported to have had no option but to abandon the game.

QPR are fully supportive of the decision taken by Mahorn and want Uefa, European football's governing body, to get involved.

"We take a very strong stance against racism and will not tolerate one of our players being subjected to the despicable comments experienced," QPR chief executive Lee Hoos said.

QPR are in dialogue with the Football Association over the matter, but Hoos feels more should be done by the European governing body to address the issues head on.

"I applaud Paul Furlong and his staff for reacting in such a manner and doing everything within their powers to protect the players. I am also very proud of our Under-18s who showed such maturity in the face of unacceptable provocation," he said.

"Had this incident occurred in England I have no doubts the issue would be dealt with swiftly with a strong punishment by the FA.

"Unfortunately, it seems some countries have a long way to go in this respect and I urge Uefa to take the strongest possible action as incidents of this nature are happening far too often.

"At QPR we must not, and will not, stand for it. There is an opportunity here for Uefa to make a strong statement. I hope it is an opportunity they take."

Kick It Out said in a statement: "We will always back players and teams who leave the pitch after suffering significant discriminatory abuse, especially if they have followed the correct protocols.

"We have been in constant communication with the club (QPR) since this incident and will continue to support all football clubs and players in the fight against discrimination in the game."

It is the latest incident in which racism has tarnished football after England players were abused during a Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro last season.

During pre-season, Arsenal's young defender Jordi Osei-Tutu, on loan at German side Vfl Bochum, walked off the pitch after allegedly being racially abused by an opposition player during a friendly against St Gallen.

Two weeks ago, Fulham defender Cyrus Christie claimed his sister was hit by a fan of his own team who then shouted racist abuse.

Later Wednesday, a Uefa spokesman told AFP that the incident in Spain "is the responsibility of Fifa and the Spanish federation".