FA chief’s apology on racism
Match-winner Webster leaves Boro boss on brink
FA CHAIRMAN Greg Clarke has apologised to England’s black players for the racist abuse they suffered on international duty.
Clarke was so horrified by the racism directed at Raheem Sterling, Danny Rose and Callum Hudson Odoi at the Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro last week (above) that he has written to them personally to express his regret.
English football’s godfather says it should not be left to players to carry the fight against racism by reporting incidents themselves.
And he revealed the FA is reviewing its disciplinary process to ensure claims of racist abuse are looked at
TONY PULIS is on the brink after Middlesbrough suffered a fifth consecutive defeat.
Their promotion challenge has imploded with just one point gained in the last six games – and Lee Johnson’s Bristol City cashed in to boost their own play-off hopes.
Adam Webster’s first-half header settled the game on another miserable night at the Riverside stadium, where Boro have won just once in the league in 2019.
Pulis was bought in to get them back up, but he is out of contract in the summer and with cutbacks ahead is unlikely to stay on.
It may be too late in the season now for a quick managerial change to boost the Teessiders, who are plunging out of contention.
This is their worst run for six years and they have failed to score in four of their last six games.
The game was significant for both sides to regain Championship momentum and City, who move up into fifth, were resilient and robust.
The visitors struck in the 31st minute against the run of play after Boro had squandered three good chances.
Webster, unmarked in the centre of the goal, had the simple job of heading in Jay Dasilva’s corner.
Typical Boro. Pulis has constantly warned that wasted chances were costing points and they should have been comfortably ahead by then.
George Saville miscued over the bar then Jonny Howson was put clear on goal by Britt Assombalonga, but Max O’Leary saved well.
Stewart Downing started his first game of the year after settling his contract dispute.
The former England man waived the guarantee of a £1.8million deal, which Boro did not want to pay, to be part of their play-off challenge.
Downing’s cross then ended in Howson hitting the inside of a post and Ashley Fletcher screwed the follow-up across goal and Tomas Kalas cleared.
Marlon Pack was inches from doubling the lead on 70 minutes and City hung on with some ease.