HESKEY THE VICTIM OF RACIST ABUSE

The Merseyside club`s £11 million capture was the victim of some rough treatment throughout the 90 minutes and confirmed the abuse, saying: "There was a bit of everything.

"I was spat at once, kicked all over the park and racially abused.

"I heard someone making racist comments in the crowd. I didn`t expect that sort of thing. You don`t get it in the Premier League.

"Obviously it was all hard to take but as a professional footballer you`ve just got to get on with your job."

Heskey also revealed how coach Howard Wilkinson warned him to keep composed, saying: "The manager spoke to us before the match a couple of times to warn us things like this might happen.

"He just stressed the most important thing was to stay on the pitch."

The former Leicester hit-man was seen talking to his nemesis Jovan Panisijevic as the teams walked off at half-time, but Heskey laughed this off, saying: "I was asking him if he wanted to come for a drink after the match."

Meanwhile, after the game Wilkinson was full of praise for Heskey, saying: "Emile suffered a torrid time, but unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world.

"To his credit he dealt with it extremely well and showed great dignity out there.

"As to racism from the crowd, I didn`t actually hear it but I understand the FA reacted and got someone to go in and get it stopped.

"Dave Sexton thought it was like going back to 15 years ago, but to Emile`s credit he took it in his stride."

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