Brighton manager Chris Hughton has criticised the Burnley fans who booed Gaetan Bong during the Seagulls’ 0-0 draw at Turf Moor.
Earlier this month ex-Clarets forward Jay Rodriguez, who was born in Burnley, was cleared of a charge of alleged racial abuse towards Brighton defender Bong during a game in January.
The Football Association’s statement stressed there was “no suggestion by any party involved in this case that this was a malicious or fabricated complaint”, and said it was “completely satisfied that this was a complaint made in absolute good faith”.
It was understood Rodriguez claimed he only remarked that Bong had bad breath.
But Hughton was livid with the reception Bong was afforded at Burnley, where home supporters also chanted “Jay Rodriguez, he’s one of our own”.
The Seagulls boss said: “I would have to say that I thought the reaction of the Burnley supporters towards Gaetan every time he got the ball was shameful, I really do.
“What they should do, the Burnley supporters, they should look at the two statements that came out afterwards – one from the independent committee and one from the FA. But I thought the reaction to Gaetan Bong was shameful.
“He’s an incredibly disciplined and straight individual – as honest a person as you will meet. It’s something that happened, it’s not nice at all and of course he’s big enough and strong enough to cope with it. As showed by his performance.
“I was incredibly surprised, I must admit. I certainly didn’t expect it here.”
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