Mikel hits back in Crouch row

Nigerian's representatives SEM call for investigation

Last updated: 22nd December 2007

Mikel hits back in Crouch row

Crouch: Controversial claim

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John Obi Mikel's representatives have hit back at Peter Crouch's claim that foreigners are prone to diving, arguing his outburst is 'potentially racist'.

Liverpool striker Crouch was sent-off in Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter-final against Chelsea for a lunge at Mikel and while he did not dispute the decision, he claims the Nigerian was guilty of over reacting.

On Thursday he said: "What I'm thinking is if you go in on Frank Lampard or John Terry would they roll around like Obi Mikel did? I don't think they would have done.

"Would someone like Carra [Jamie Carragher] have gone down like that? I think it's safe to say that he wouldn't.

"Foreign players have brought a lot to our game but that's something you don't want to see. I didn't catch him but he's gone down like he's been shot."

Racism issue

These comments have not sat well with Mikel's representatives SEM, who have called on the football authorities to deal with the matter as a racist issue.

"SEM feel the comments were potentially racist to all foreign players, not just black or African ones," they told The Sun.

"We are intending to speak to Trevor Phillips at the Equality and Human Rights Commission on Monday.

"We hope football's governing bodies, who are meant to be committed to stamping out racism issues, will also get involved."

No diver

Mikel has also added his voice to the argument, arguing that Crouch's words are misguided.

"There is nothing to say to Crouch. All I know is that I am not a diver and will not start doing that now," he said.

"Foreign players bring a lot to the league. That's why there are so many here at the moment.

"There is Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov, amongst other top players. They make the league very competitive and we cannot all be bad just because one player feels so."