Reds midfielder victim of racist Tweet (From The Argus)

Reds midfielder victim of racist Tweet

10:00am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in Sport By Steve Hollis

Police have confirmed they are investigating after a racist Tweet was sent to Crawley midfielder Hope Akpan.

Akpan was sent a “disgusting” message via the social media site following his red card during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Oldham Athletic.

Sussex police are working with Greater Manchester police to try to track down the culprit who is thought to be a Wigan Athletic supporter.

Meanwhile, Akpan’s four match ban for his sending off against the Latics has been confirmed. The 21-year-old will miss Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Met Police along with the league games at Coventry City and Notts County and the home match against Walsall.

Replays showed the former Everton midfielder was unlucky to be sent off for a challenge on Oldham midfielder Robbie Simpson during the second half.

Oldham had already been reduced to ten men following Jean-Yves M’Voto’s dismissal in the first half and Reds defender Mat Sadler believes that played a part in referee Gavin Ward’s decision.

Sadler said: “You see it time and time again. You give the ref opportunity to make it ten versus ten and as a human being he is likely to do that.

“I think he (Akpan) won the ball and in days gone by it would have been applauded as a good tackle. But in this day and age unfortunately you give the opportunity for the referee to equal things up.”