Holloway: Euell was racially abused

Posted Tuesday, September 22, 2009 by PA

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway revealed after the Carling Cup defeat by Stoke that Jason Euell had suffered racist abuse from a home supporter at the Britannia Stadium.

Police interviewed the Blackpool striker following the third-round match after a man was ejected by stewards and then detained.

Euell was sitting in the dug-out when the incident happened during Stoke's dramatic 4-3 victory.

Holloway said: "There was one horrible moment when a racist remark was made to Jason by one supporter. I hope the fellow is banned for life.

"We do not want anything like that. Jason is a footballer - it should not matter the colour of his skin.

"It is disgusting. The stewards believed what Jason said and got him out. I have to thank them for that.

"People around the fellow should have said they were not putting up with what was said. It is wrong.

"I saw Jason's reaction and tried to calm him down. I thought these days were gone but maybe I am being naive."

Holloway was full of praise for his team, who were two goals up in the first 47 minutes.

However Stoke stormed back with goals from Danny Higginbotham and substitutes Matthew Etherington and Ricardo Fuller.

Ben Burgess then hauled Blackpool level only for Andy Griffin to get the winner in stoppage time.

Holloway said: "I was in dreamland at 2-0 but I know Tony Pulis' teams never stop and they have a lot of quality.

"I thought it might be our night when our goalkeeper saved a penalty but then we had a mad spell, although I felt we deserved to take the game into extra time."

Stoke boss Pulis said: "We kept going and created loads of chances in the last 25 minutes.

"While the substitutes played a part the others who played a full 90 minutes, like Andy Griffin were smashing.

"I am very pleased for Andy, although Blackpool deserve credit as they played a lot of good football."