Threats to Zaha family over penalty

Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha revealed he suffered racist abuse and threats to his family after being awarded a late penalty during the 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday.

Ivory Coast international Zaha was caught by Arsenal defender Granit Xhaka towards the end of the Premier League match, with Luka Milivojevic converting the resulting spot-kick to earn Palace a point.

Following Sunday’s match, Xhaka admitted in a television interview he thought the incident had been a “clear penalty”.

Nevertheless, Zaha again found himself in the spotlight, with accusations he had gone to ground and after a delayed reaction.

Zaha took to social media to stand up for himself following the match, and subsequently revealed in a post on his Instragram story on yesterday that the abuse had escalated.

The Palace winger wrote: “For all the people taking it one step further and being racist and wishing death on my family I wish you and your families the best too x p.s my life is still very good despite your hate.”

Zaha could be back in action for Palace when they travel to Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough for a Carabao Cup fourth-round tie tonight. However, Palace, who have already beaten Swansea and West Brom in their run to the last 16, remain without Christian Benteke, Joel Ward and Scott Dann.

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis is expected to make several changes to his side.

Forward Ashley Fletcher scored a hat-trick in an under-23 game last week and will be pushing to start alongside other fringe players such as Grant Leadbitter and Danny Batth. However, defender Ryan Shotton (knee) remains on the sidelines.