https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/bong-accuses-rodriguez-of-saying-youre-black-and-you-stink-598fxr6nmGaëtan Bong is alleging that he was racially abused by Jay Rodriguez with the words “you’re black and you stink†during his Brighton & Hove Albion side’s 2-0 defeat by West Bromwich Albion yesterday. The FA confirmed today that it has opened an investigation into Bong’s allegations, which were immediately relayed to Martin Atkinson, the referee, and are vehemently denied by Rodriguez.
Bong reacted angrily and immediately complained to Atkinson after a 56th-minute clash with Rodriguez, during which the former Southampton striker pinched his own nose. The referee spoke to both players before passing on details of the allegations to the fourth official, Tony Harrington. Rodriguez is believed to have denied saying anything of a racist nature at the time and repeated his stance when questioned again after the game at the Hawthorns. The 28-year-old’s version of events is understood to be that he used the words “your breath stinks†to Bong as he pinched his nose.
Bong is standing by his allegations however, which will now be investigated by the FA. The Cameroon international is regarded as one of the quietest and calmest players in Chris Hughton’s side so there was considerable shock among his team-mates at the anger of his response to the Rodriguez incident, and the club are convinced that he believed he heard what he has alleged.
Bong remained upset and bewildered by the incident on the journey back to Brighton yesterday and expressed his anger on Twitter without giving any further details. “Some words should not be said on a football field and specially not by players,†the 29-year-old tweeted. “Rodriguez words are unforgiveable for the man I am.â€
West Brom are supporting Rodriguez, with Alan Pardew saying that he would be “surprised if it is anything†after the game, but are co-operating with the FA’s inquiries. Both clubs are happy with the way the flare-up was handled by Atkinson, who after speaking to both players took no action on the field but included the incident in his referee’s report.
Atkinson also spoke to Hughton, Pardew and Bong in his changing room after the game before completing his report. The clash took place near the corner flag with no one else in the immediate vicinity so verifying exactly what was said is likely to prove difficult.
The FA spoke to both clubs yesterday and before confirming it has opened an investigation. The governing body’s disciplinary department is already looking into claims that Roberto Firmino racially abused Mason Holgate during Liverpool’s FA Cup win over Everton nine days ago.
“The FA can confirm that referee Martin Atkinson was made aware of an allegation during the West Bromwich Albion versus Brighton & Hove Albion game at The Hawthorns yesterday and has subsequently reported this to the FA, which will now begin making enquiries into the matter,†the FA statement read.
The video of the interview if anyone is interested:
https://twitter.com/SFR_Sport/status/952653555034460162