Fulham to investigate racist incident during C’ship match

LONDON: Championship side Fulham said they are investigating an incident among their fans ater defender Cyrus Christie said his sister was hit and racially abused during their 1-0 defeat by Barnsley on Saturday.

The full back, who came on as a substitute in the former Premier League side’s first match back in England’s second tier, took to Twiter ater the game to call out the instigators.

“To the Fulham fan that decided to hit my sister at the game today and his wife who justified his action with racist remarks I hope you’re proud of yourself and feel like a big man,” Christie wrote.

“You’ll get what’s coming to you. Regardless how you felt about the result your actions are shameful.”

Fulham issued a short statement saying: “Fulham Football Club is investigating an incident which took place in the away end at the Barnsley vs Fulham fixture this aternoon.

“Should the perpetrators be identified, the club will be taking the strongest possible action.”

The incident comes shortly ater an annual report from British anti-discriminatory body Kick It Out that showed a 43% rise in reports of racist abuse in English football last season.

Promotion favourites Cardiff City and Fulham began their Championship campaigns in the worst possibly way ater respective defeats to Wigan and Barnsley.

Josh Windass picked himself up from missing a penalty to mastermind Wigan’s 3-2 victory over Neil Warnock’s Cardiff whilst Fulham fell at Barnsley 1-0. Former Croatia national coach Slaven Bilic began with a victory as West Browmich Albion manager, they came from a goal down to beat Notingham Forest -- also with a new manager Sabri Lamouchi -- 2-1.

The Bluebirds got off to a great start in England’s second tier as Joe Ralls gave them the lead in the 20th minute.

It looked as if Warnock would come away with the three points when Wigan’s Windass missed a penalty early in the second-half, but he recovered to set up Michael Jacobs for the 59th-minute equaliser before scoring the second.

Omar Bogle got Cardiff back on equal terms against his former club with 20 minutes remaining only for Wales-born Lee Evans to rifle home a long range effort to restore Wigan’s lead five minutes later.

“It was nothing I wasn’t expecting, we know exactly how tough this league is,” said Warnock.

“I think one or two questions were answered today, if I’m honest, in my own mind.”