Richards: We must not let the racists win

LONDON: Micah Richards vowed that racists must not be allowed to win after team-mate Mario Balotelli was targeted by sick taunts in Porto.

Manchester City launched an official complaint to UEFA about the monkey noises aimed at their Italian striker on Thursday.

But Porto on Friday hit back at the accusations – offering a bizarre explanation that the chants had been misunderstood by the English club.

City though were sure what they heard and Richards was just pleased Super Mario got the last laugh in a 2-1 first-leg win in their Europa League last 32 tie.

He said: “It’s not what we want to hear. If people do that, it’s up to them. We’ll get on with our job. It’s not nice to hear and we can’t do anything about it as players.

“But it was great for Mario that he played a big part in the first goal.”

Richards, who decided to close his Twitter account this month after receiving racist abuse, does believe the battle against racism is being won in England.

He said: “There will always be people who have a certain opinion of people. In English football. it’s been outstanding.

“There have been a couple of cases of late that we’re not happy about. But since I’ve been playing, when I was 17, I’ve not really heard too much racism at all.” — The Sun, London