FA charge West Brom striker Jay Rodriguez after racism claim
West Brom striker Jay Rodriguez has been charged by the Football Association over an incident involving Gaetan Bong in last month's Premier League match against Brighton that saw him accused of using racist language.
Footage shows the pair arguing and bumping into each other, before Rodriguez holds his nose and waves his hand as if to gesture Bong smells.
It is not clear what was said, but Bong immediately complained to referee Martin Atkinson who included the incident in his report.
The FA said on Thursday Rodriguez has been charged with using "abusive and/or insulting words which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race".
If the charge is proven, Rodriguez would face a minimum five-match ban as an aggravated breach of FA rule E3. The rules added that "the regulatory commission may increase this suspension depending on any additional aggravating factors present".
Rodriguez, who won one England cap in 2013, has until February 16 to respond to the FA charge.
He reacted by writing on Twitter: "Absolutely gutted and in disbelief at the situation I find myself in. I 100% deny the false allegation and will take the correct legal advice to prove my innocence."
An FA statement read: "Jay Rodriguez has been charged following an incident during the West Bromwich Albion versus Brighton and Hove Albion match on 13 January 2018.
"It is alleged he used abusive and/or insulting words which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race."
West Brom released a statement saying they would continue to support the 28-year-old.
The Baggies' director of football administration Richard Garlick said: "As a club we remain fully supportive and committed to backing Jay throughout this process."
Cameroonian defender Bong posted a since-deleted comment on his own Twitter feed after the game, saying: "Some words should not be said on a football field and specially not by players Rodriguez words are unforgivable for the man I am!!"
Bong appeared on French television channel SFR Sport to say Rodriguez's comment was "racist in nature", and Brighton said their player had the club's full backing as the FA opened its investigation.
West Brom manager Alan Pardew said after the match he found it "very difficult" to believe that Rodriguez would make a racist comment, adding: "Jay Rodriguez claims that the allegation, whatever the allegation is, is untrue."
- Press Association
