Cesc Fabregas denies racism allegations

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has denied claims that he racially abused an opposition player during Saturday night's goalless draw against Sevilla.

Striker Freddie Kanoute was sent off in injury-time for slapping Fabregas after both sets of players clashed when the referee awarded Barca a late penalty.

Kanoute claimed after the match that the former Arsenal player made racist comments towards him, but Fabregas has refuted those allegations.

"To cry racism is cowardly and an easy option to excuse your own poor behaviour," the Spaniard wrote on his Twitter account. "My conscience is completely clear. I've done nothing wrong.

"I can proudly say that after many years in football, I always maintained the best relationships with my teammates who came from different backgrounds, races, religions and nationalities. No-one has ever accused me of being racist or bigoted in all my years of playing in the game.

"There is a simple explanation for that. I have never behaved in that manner. I will not tolerate anyone accusing me of things that I'm not. If they are frustrated by a decision that has gone against them on the football pitch then there are other ways to deal with it."

The incident comes after Manchester United defender Patrice Evra claimed that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez racially abused him during the two sides' match last weekend.