Newcastle To Ban Emre For Six Months?

Last updated : 07 January 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

... allegations that Emre racially abused an Everton player. But there could be a "sting in the tale", as they say, if the player is charged.

Everton themselves have exonerated Emre of guilt, but the FA intend to demand that Everton players give them their version of events. And Roeder has put pressure on the investigation by calling for players guilty of racist abuse to be banned from the game for up to a year.

Roeder "They were unsavoury accusations. Emre has been really upset. He came to see me on Thursday. There had been bad headlines in the papers in Turkey and of course it bothered him. His mum and dad have been really upset by it.

"The allegations are wide of the mark, and as far as we are concerned the incident is now completely closed. I thought a half hour after the game there was no case to be answered. We have black players in our squad, and I'd have been shocked if Emre had said anything that was racist. It's something I will not tolerate.

"I grew up with black people and black players. If I ever had the feeling that any of the players here were racist, I wouldn't stay at Newcastle. What we need to do if a person is found guilty of racist abuse is to come down hard, really hard.

"I am not talking about three, six or 10 games. If it's proven someone has racially abused another player, we cut them out, take them out for six months or a season. Take them out lock stock.

"I am very, very strong on this."