Mido accuses FA of "inviting" racist abuse

Middlesbrough's Egyptian striker Hossam Mido has blamed the Football Association for the Islamophobic chanting he suffered against Newcastle United last weekend.

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Mido: Twice suffered racial abuse at St James' Park.

The 25-year-old was subjected to similar abuse in last season's Tees-Tyne derby and has claimed that the FA's failure to act when it happened last year contributed to a repeat this season.

The abusive song was sung briefly as he came on as substitute at the Riverside and has prompted an FA investigation.

Mido said: "They kept chanting disgusting words, racist words about Islam and unfortunately, this is the second time that the same fans have done this."

"It happened again because after the first time the English FA did nothing. I considered this as an invitation from the English FA to the Newcastle supporters to repeat such shameful acts," he told Egyptian television station Al Hayat.

"I can assure you that nothing is going to happen this time again. The English FA said that they will be investigating the issue and will make use of the latest technology to stop such racist abuse of players but I feel that nothing will happen.

"I am asking the English FA to take serious action to stop such things. These chants are not directed at me as a person but it is directed at Islam."

After the incident in 2007, Newcastle were ordered by the FA to put a message in their match programme and on their club website, asking fans not to engage in abusive behaviour. No supporters were banned.

Both clubs have been given until the middle of next week to respond to the FA's latest investigation and the governing body have vowed to "take the strongest possible action" against anyone found guilty of racist chanting.

"As always, the priority is to identify the individuals involved and take the strongest possible action against them," a spokesman for the FA said. "We fully support banning orders for anyone convicted of racist chanting."

The incident has been condemned by the anti-racist 'Kick it Out' campaign