Hughton’s blast after Bong abuse

BRIGHTON boss Chris Hughton wants fans who abuse players to be punished “as hard as possible”.

Hughton’s tough stance comes after Seagulls defender Gaetan Bong was taunted by home supporters when he came on as a substitute in Wednesday’s FA Cup fourth-round replay win at West Brom.

It was Bong’s first return to The Hawthorns since he accused Baggies striker Jay Rodriguez of making a racist comment in January 2018. The allegation was ‘not proven’ following an investigation by the FA although Bong still stands by his claim.

Liverpool ace Mo Salah was also targeted from the stands at West Ham on Monday while Raheem Sterling was racially abused at Stamford Bridge in December.

Although Hughton believes the problem is not on the rise, he says social media magnifies it.

“As regards what we hear, particularly of late, do I feel that the abuse has got more? Probably the answer to that one is no,” he said.

Jumped

“With social media, it’s being picked up far more and far quicker than in the past.

“The negative is that it still goes on, the plus is that it’s jumped upon a lot quicker now.

“I think there are sections of support that are not prepared to accept it and will recognise it and will report it.

“It’s up to the game as a whole and the authorities to stamp out what they can as quick as possible and make sure the punishments are as hard as possible.”

Rodriguez played the opening 45 minutes of Wednesday’s match and was not on the field at the same time as Bong.

Meanwhile, Brighton striker Florin Andone has been charged with violent conduct after a first-half elbow in the face of Baggies midfielder Sam Field.

The Seagulls host Burnley tomorrow, and Clarets boss Sean Dyche has told Peter Crouch he can earn a new deal if he maintains his fine start.

Crouch, 38, last week joined from Stoke until the end of the season and the former England striker wants to stay beyond the summer.

He won Burnley their first Premier League penalty in 68 games on his debut in Saturday’s draw against Southampton and Dyche says he would consider offering him another 12 months.

“We’ll see,” said the Burnley boss. “I’m certainly not ageist in football. If they’ve got something to offer and the fire and desire to do it, then we take them seriously.

“But that’ll happen at a later date. He just wanted to come here and be effective in the Premier League.

“That was his starting point and that’s what we’ll continue to build on.”