Micah: We can’t let the racists win - 7M sport

Micah: We can’t let the racists win



I have a say

Posted Saturday, February 18, 2012 by The Sun

Micah: We can’t let the racists win
WELL DONE ... Mancini congratulates Balotelli in Porto for overcoming racist chants

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 last night 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.

"There will be incidents, but as long as they are sorted and dealt with in the right manner, we've just got to move forward."

As for his decision to stop tweeting, Richards added: "I did enjoy Twitter and the banter with the fans, but I didn't like abuse.

"Sometimes you want to retaliate, but you must be the bigger man and not.

"It was the best for myself because it can affect your confidence if people are saying things about you. I just thought it was best to come off and concentrate on football."

City lodged their complaint to the UEFA delegate during the tie and he is likely to include that in his report.

But Porto hit back at the claims with spokesman Rui Cerqueira saying: "Our players have never felt the slightest hint of racism.

"Nothing abnormal happened, no one noticed anything strange, not even the UEFA delegates."

Cerqueira then suggested the chants could have been aimed at either City's matchwinner Sergio Aguero or home favourite Hulk.

He added: "'Kun, Kun, Kun' or 'Hulk, Hulk, Hulk' can be confused with racist chants."

"We're very proud of having a multi-racial team, with players from all backgrounds and to have achieved many titles with respect."



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