Uefa ponder action over Emmanuel Adebayor 'racism'

Adebayor scored twice for Real against Spurs (GETTY IMAGES)

UEFA are today pondering their next move after anti-racism campaigners Kick It Out contacted the organisation to express concern over the abuse suffered by Emmanuel Adebayor during Real Madrid's defeat of Tottenham.

Former Arsenal striker Adebayor was the victim of offensive chants during Tuesday night's Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu, leading to allegations of racism against Spurs fans.

Tottenham have vehemently denied the abuse was racist and are unlikely to face any action from UEFA, who confirmed yesterday there was "nothing in the delegate's report" that would trigger an investigation from European football's governing body.

But Kick It Out have been in touch both with UEFA and the Football Against Racism Europe (FARE) network and have also given their support to Adebayor.

Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, said: "We have pursued this matter with our partners at the FARE network, and UEFA.

"Racist abuse is not as prevalent as it has been in the past, but there are unhealthy trends, such as immigrant hysteria, creeping back during these austere times.

"Kick It Out, with its partners, the governing bodies, the fans and players, has made a difference and will continue to progress towards achieving fairness in football.

"We would urge Emmanuel not to be defeatist and join us to take action, to beat this scourge and to make the playing and watching environment, and atmosphere, better for everyone."

A club whose supporters are deemed guilty of racist chanting can be fined a minimum of £20,000 but Spurs will not be charged unless UEFA receive official notification of an offence from stadium security or the police.

The club accept the abuse directed at on-loan Manchester City forward Adebayor - who scored twice in Real's 4-0 crushing win on Tuesday - was offensive.

But they are adamant the chant which contains the words, "Your dad washes elephants, your mother's a whore", is not racist in nature.

A spokesman said: "The chant referred to has been previously discussed with the Crown Prosecution Service, who do not consider it racist.

"We shall continue to remind our fans that we do not tolerate any form of obscene or abusive chanting."

Adebayor was singled out by the travelling fans following his three-and-a-half-year spell with Arsenal.

The 27-year-old said the fight against racism was ongoing but conceded "we can't do anything to stop it".

He said: "Big players better than me have tried to stop that, but it's not easy at all.

"Racist? We have done everything we can to show the red card to racism. But people are still into it, that's part of life.

"Coming from Africa, I'm just very happy, playing football is like a dream that comes true.

"And I just want to send a big support to all Africa, with what is happening in Libya and what is happening in the Ivory Coast. I've got a lot of family, a lot of friends.

"Racists are always there and we can't do anything to stop it. Samuel Eto'o and big players have spoken about it better than I do, but it's not stopped them."