An investigation has been launched after Rochdale AFC player D’Mani Mellor was alleged to have been the victim of racist abuse following yesterday's match against Stockport County.
Rochdale AFC were relegated from the Football League on Saturday (April 22) after being defeated by the Stockport club at their home ground Edgeley Park.
Wycombe Wanderers striker D'Mani, 22, who is signed on loan to the Rochdale club, said following the match that there is 'no room for racism in football'. It is believed the alleged abuse came from a Rochdale supporter following the club's defeat.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
In a statement, Rochdale AFC said: “Rochdale AFC can confirm that an alleged incident of racist abuse, directed towards D’Mani Mellor following yesterday’s game, has been reported to the relevant authorities.
“The club has a zero-tolerance stance towards any racist, discriminatory, or prejudiced behaviour. We utterly condemn any abuse of this kind and players, staff, and Football Club stand with D’Mani, to whom we have offered our full support.
“We will be working with the relevant authorities and Stockport County to fully investigate the incident and try to identify any individual(s) involved.”
D'Mani has since taken to Twitter to share his own statement in addition to the one issued by Rochdale.
The former Manchester United player posted on Sunday afternoon (April 23): “I completely understand the frustration and passion of supporters but there is no room for racism in football and nobody should be subjected to that kind of abuse.
“I am aware that people saw me smiling after full-time, but this was as an instant reaction to the abuse I received and in no way related to matters on the pitch. I reacted in that way because I always smile in the face of racism.
“The issue lies with the person that is being racist, not the person that is being racially abused. I feel sorry for them, smile at them and hope they can find a better way of living in the future. I have enjoyed my time at the club and will continue to give my all during my time here.”
Stockport County said it was working with Rochdale FC and Greater Manchester Police to investigate the alleged incident, and offered its 'full support' to D'Mani.
In a statement, Stockport County said: "The club can confirm that it is currently assisting Rochdale and the GMP in investigating an incident of alleged racist abuse from the away end, directed towards Rochdale player D'Mani Mellor at the full-time whistle on Saturday.
"At Edgeley Park we have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discriminatory abuse or behaviour, and we will be doing everything we can to help identify the individual(s) involved and ensure they are dealt with by the relevant authorities.
"We condemn any form of racist abuse in the strongest possible terms, and offer our full support to D'Mani Mellor at this time."
The M.E.N has reached out to Greater Manchester Police for more information.
READ NEXT:
- Police probe 'linked' incidents that saw gun discarded in bag and residents 'attacked'
- Dara O Briain shows 'helpful' nonsense emergency alert message to amusement of fans
- People forced to walk down the Big One as it stops mid-ride AGAIN for second time in weeks
- 'Takeaway bingeing led to swelling on my brain - look at me now'
- 'I've saved £10,000 taking my kids to Mexico, Egypt and Lanzarote in term-time - it's good for them'
