Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has vowed to sack defender Giuseppe Bellusci if he is found guilty of racially abusing Norwich City striker Cameron Jerome.
The Football Association has launched an investigation into Jerome's allegations that the Italian made a racist comment toward him in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.
However, Cellino is confident that his compatriot will be cleared of any wrongdoing - but warned that he will "kick his arse" and terminate Bellusci's contract if evidence proves otherwise.
"Bellusci is no racist," he told the Yorkshire Evening Post. "I spoke with him and he said 'you must be joking, I said nothing like this to [Jerome].' He is surprised by this. He is shocked.
"I don't allow racists at this club and I won't allow racists at this club ever. If one of my players is a racist, I'll kick his arse and kick him out before the FA has a chance. Bellusci says he spoke [to Jerome] in Italian. I don't know if he speaks Italian too but Bellusci swears to me he said nothing racist.
"He was pissed off, sure, because he got hit in the neck and the face but he denies anything racist. I believe him and and I'll support him. I'll write to [the FA] to clarify my position on Bellusci and racism. If any Leeds player was shown to be a racist, he'd be out. That's my philosophy and my promise."
Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was slapped with an eight-game ban and fined £40,000 after he was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra in October 2011.
Bellusci signed a four-year deal with Leeds in August following a £1.6m move from Catania.
Shane Callaghan
