Manchester City players abandon friendly against Croatian side HNK Rijeka amid racism claims

MANCHESTER City players have abandoned a friendly against a Croatian side after one of their players was allegedly racially abused.

BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 25: Hany Mukhtar (L) of Germany and Seko Fofana (R) of France battle for the ball during the international friendly match between the U 16 teams of Germany and France at Olympic stadium on May 25, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER City says a friendly being played by their under-21 team in Croatia on Tuesday was abandoned after team management ordered the players off the pitch following alleged racist abuse.

City said in a statement their 19-year-old French midfielder Seko Fofana, who is black, was targeted by an opponent from Croatian team HNK Rijeka toward the end of the first half in Novigrad.

The Premier League champions said a decision was taken by management to withdraw the City team from the field of play. City’s representatives in Croatia and Manchester were liaising with officials, match organisers and Croatia’s football association to pursue the matter.

The under-21 team bridge the gap between the youth academy and first-team squads.

Originally published as Manchester City players abandon friendly against Croatian side HNK Rijeka amid racism claims