Sky Sports News understands West Brom do not feel Brighton's Gaetan Bong was the victim of racist chanting at The Hawthorns
Thursday 7 February 2019 16:15, UK
West Brom do not feel there is a need for an investigation into the conduct of their supporters during Wednesday's FA Cup defeat to Brighton, despite Chris Hughton's calls for the FA to intervene.
Hughton was angered by abusive chanting at the Hawthorns which was aimed at Brighton defender Gaetan Bong.
However, Sky Sports News understands West Brom are adamant there was no racist element to those chants and the Football Association believe neither set of fans took part in discriminatory chanting in relation to this matter.
Bong came on as a substitute in extra-time and was met with loud boos from West Brom fans, and chants of "there is only one smelly ******* (expletive)".
That followed Bong's accusation last season, that West Brom striker Jay Rodriguez had made racist comments to him on the pitch.
Rodriguez strenuously denied the charge and insisted he was mockingly referencing Bong's "bad breath".
An FA inquiry later cleared Rodriguez of a charge of racism, as the case was not proven.
Brighton's travelling support at the Hawthorns booed Rodriguez throughout the game, combined with chants of: "You know what you are."
"It is down to the authorities and governors of our game, and what we see and hear, for people to deal with. It is not nice, but the game has done very well in recent years in picking up on anything they need to."
Hughton said after the game: "It is down to the authorities and governors of our game, and what we see and hear, for people to deal with.
"It is not nice, but the game has done very well in recent years in picking up on anything they need to."
Sky Sports News understands those comments have upset West Brom's hierarchy, who feel there was abusive chanting from both sets of supporters, but none of it was racist.
