Monday, October 19, 2009

Cardiff/Crystal Palace Race Row Dies Down


It is a shame that a race row was the left overs from Saturday's meaty 1-1 draw between Cardiff City and Crystal Palace.

At final whistle, Michael Chopra was clearly angry and upset, Crystal Palace's Shaun Derry appeared to be the object of his attentions in a pitchside kerfuffle which involved other players and continued in the players tunnel and dressing room area.

There were subsequent hints that Chops was subjected to a racial slur - others that he may have been taunted about his marriage - but fellow striker Jay Bothroyd told media that Chopra, whose father is Indian, was racially abused. That was backed up later by a club official but hotly disputed by the visitors.

However when the referee - who missed most things on the day - later said he saw or heard nothing, then it boiled down to one player's word against another. (The ref cleared the scene at final whistle so wasn't around to see or hear anything).

The heat turned up today as Crystal Palace used their official website to issue a denial - saying they know their players wouldn't do such a thing - Dave Jones responded by asking them to retract it even though, in truth, it was City who had strated the ball rolling and had put it in the public domain.

By this afternoon, Cardiff City issued an official statement that they wished to draw a line under it. It's unlikely any enquiry would have got anywhere but Neil Warnock responded by again being angry allegations were made and saying that he was not surprised it was dropped.

I guess we'll never know what went on but, following on from Roger Johnson being hospitalised last season and a war of words at that time between the clubs, there is clearly no love lost between City and Palace at present.

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