Porto: City racism complaints were 'a misunderstanding'

Yaya Toure
© PA Photos
Porto head coach Vitor Pereira claims that Manchester City's complaints of racial abuse were based on 'a misunderstanding'.

Porto coach Vitor Pereira has claimed that there was no racist abuse aimed at Manchester City players during the two sides' Europa League clash last Thursday.

City lodged a complaint to UEFA following the game, alleging that Porto fans had directed monkey noises at Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure.

UEFA have confirmed that they are investigating the claims, but Pereira believes that the complaints were based on 'a misunderstanding'.

"I did not hear any racist comment. So I cannot comment on what I did not hear, I have no idea," said Pereira.

"Our supporters many times say, 'Hulk, Hulk, Hulk', but they are referring to our forward of great quality, as a way of motivating him.

"I was focused only on the match, to see what was happening inside the four lines, and I did not notice any comment that could force the club to make any apologies."

City take a 2-1 advantage into the second leg at the Ethiad Stadium this Wednesday.

Micah Richards
Read Next:
Richards: We must overcome racism
>


Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Chelsea19161242132949
2Liverpool19134246212543
3Arsenal19124341192240
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs19116237142339
5Manchester CityMan City19123439211839
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd19106329191036
7Everton197662523227
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom197572523226
9Southampton196671922-324
10Bournemouth197392631-524
11Burnley1972102129-823
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham196492333-1022
13Watford196492334-1122
14Stoke CityStoke195682232-1021
15Leicester CityLeicester195592431-720
16Middlesbrough194691722-518
17Crystal Palace1944112935-616
18Sunderland1942131735-1814
19Hull City1934121641-2513
20Swansea CitySwansea1933132144-2312