Hughes demands action over racism
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has asked Uefa to take action over claims Benni McCarthy was racially abused during the Uefa Cup tie in Poland on Thursday.
McCarthy said he was a target during the 2-1 group win against Wisla Krakow.
Uefa has warned it may be difficult to find any \"hard evidence\", but Hughes says: \"Uefa should take as strong action as it is allowed to do.
\"It is important we highlight these things because there is no place for them. This needs to be eradicated.\"
Hughes said McCarthy approached Swedish referee Stefan Johannesson at half-time but still the taunts continued.
\"Benni was upset by a number of personal comments directed at him by one of their players,\" added the Blackburn boss.
\"It happened right throughout the game. Benni, to his credit, did not react to them and he highlighted the issue to a number of Krakow players and the referee at half-time.
\"The situation still developed and there were more comments at the end of the game.
\"I spoke to Benni this morning as we trying to build a statement, which we will produce at some point on Friday.\"
But Uefa spokesman William Gaillard admitted: \"We have no reason to doubt Benni's word, he has been in the game for a long time now, playing at the top level.
\"But the problem will be finding hard evidence to pass any sanctions.\"
The Football Association says it will help Blackburn pursue these claims with European football's governing body.
\"If this is the case it is very disturbing,\" said FA spoeksman Adrian Bevington. \"We treat these allegations seriously and we'll work with the club and Uefa.
\"Unfortunately we have seen the recent trend where when our clubs have gone away in Europe or the national side has gone away, we've seen them encounter situations of racism.
\"We'll wait and see what Blackburn have to say, I'm sure they will be in contact with us if that was the case.\"
Mijailovic denies McCarthy racism
Wisla Krakow defender Nikola Mijailovic has denied using racist language towards Blackburn's Benni McCarthy.
Striker McCarthy, 28, claimed to have been racially abused by Mijailovic in Thursday's Uefa Cup tie.
On Friday, the Football Association said it had submitted a formal complaint to Uefa, asking for an investigation into the allegations.
The FA confirmed: \"We have written to Uefa, asking them to investigate allegations of racism.\"
Wisla claim they have already investigated the incident and found nothing to substantiate the claims.
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes asked Uefa to take action and the FA has added its support.
Uefa has warned it may be difficult to find any \"hard evidence\", but Hughes says: \"Uefa should take as strong action as it is allowed to do.
\"It is important we highlight these things because there is no place for them in sport or life. This needs to be eradicated.\"
Hughes said McCarthy approached Swedish referee Stefan Johannesson at half-time but the taunts continued.
\"Benni was upset by a number of personal comments directed at him by one of their players,\" added the Blackburn boss.
\"It happened right throughout the game. Benni, to his credit, did not react to them and he highlighted the issue to a number of Krakow players and the referee at half-time.
\"The situation still developed and there were more comments at the end of the game.
But Uefa spokesman William Gaillard admitted: \"We have no reason to doubt Benni's word, he has been in the game for a long time now, playing at the top level.
\"But the problem will be finding hard evidence to pass any sanctions.\"
The Football Association pledged to help Blackburn pursue their claims with European football's governing body.
\"If this is the case it is very disturbing,\" said FA spokesman Adrian Bevington. \"We treat these allegations seriously and we'll work with the club and Uefa.
\"Unfortunately we have seen the recent trend where, when our clubs have gone away in Europe or the national side has gone away, we've seen them encounter situations of racism.
Wisla's director of communications claimed the club had no case to answer.
Vit Nielskee told Radio Five Live: We've made a survey, we talked with the coach, we've looked through the situation which was recorded and cannot find any basis that there were any racist comment going on during the game.\"
Spokesman for the Kick It Out campaign, Piara Powar, wants action taken against the culprits.
Powar said: \"We hope Blackburn pursue this or we will see it happen time and time again and end up talking about the same things in five or six years' time.
\"Footballers are as savvy as anyone else and can say things which are not in earshot of the referee.
\"If they do this and it is not reported then it leads to a stalemate.\"
Uefa to hear McCarthy racism case
Uefa will look into Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy's allegation of racial abuse by Wisla Krakow defender Nikola Mijailovic on Thursday.
European football's governing body has instigated disciplinary proceedings against Mijailovic following the Uefa Cup tie in Poland last Thursday.
The charge is based on a complaint by Blackburn, the Football Association and referee Stefan Johannesson.
Serbian Mijailovic has vigorously denied the allegations.
\"Both of us were swearing but there was no racist abuse at all,\" said the 24-year-old Mijailovic.
Wisla said they had investigated the incident and found nothing to substantiate the claims.
South African McCarthy apparently approached Johannesson at half-time but alleged that the taunts continued.
However, Uefa has already warned it may be difficult to find any \"hard evidence\" to back up McCarthy's claims.
Mijailovic ban for McCarthy abuse
Wisla Krakow defender Nikola Mijailovic has been banned for five Uefa matches for the racial abuse of Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy.
The Serbian was found guilty of the offence that took place when the sides met on 19 October, by European football's governing body Uefa.
The 24-year-old was charged based on a complaint by Blackburn, the FA and match referee Stefan Johannesson.
Mijailovic, who denied the allegations, has until Monday to appeal.
Blackburn welcomed the outcome of the case.
\"Firstly, we appreciate Uefa's speed in dealing with this important issue,\" said a statement on the club website.
\"Secondly, we believe that Uefa's decision sends out a clear message that racism will not, and should not, be tolerated in the game.\"
McCarthy apparently approached Johannesson at half-time but alleged that the taunts continued.
\"Benni was upset by a number of personal comments directed at him by one of their players,\" Blackburn boss Mark Hughes said last week.
\"It happened right throughout the game. Benni, to his credit, did not react to them and he highlighted the issue to a number of Krakow players and the referee at half-time.
\"The situation still developed and there were more comments at the end of the game.\"
