FA slams Burnley fans over abuse of Bong
Burnley supporters’ booing of Gaetan Bong has been condemned as “unacceptable” by the Football Association.
The Brighton & Hove Albion defender was targeted by a section of Burnley fans during his side’s goalless draw at Turf Moor on Saturday, just weeks after the FA cleared West Bromwich Albion’s Jay Rodriguez, a former Burnley forward who is still a popular figure at the club, of racially abusing Bong.
Bong alleged in January that he was subjected to racist abuse from Rodriguez on the pitch. But an independent FA commission ruled that the allegation was “not proven”, despite insisting there was “no suggestion that this was a malicious or fabricated complaint”.
Chris Hughton, the Brighton manager, said he was “angry and very surprised” to hear the negative reception towards Bong. Kick It Out, the anti-racism charity, expressed its concern over the player’s treatment and now the FA has added its voice.
In a statement, the FA said it “considers the behaviour of some supporters on Saturday towards Gaetan Bong to be unacceptable”. It is understood the FA opted to speak out to ensure players are not discouraged from reporting allegations of racist abuse in the future. In a statement, Burnley said: “Burnley FC maintains a zerotolerance policy towards discrimination of any kind.”