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LONDON: Real Madrid striker Emmanuel Adebayor believes authorities are powerless to stop racist fans after he was allegedly abused by Tottenham supporters during his team’s Champions League win over Spurs.
Adebayor told The Guardian he was dismayed to hear a chant which fans have directed at him over the years that attacks his African heritage.
The Guardian reported that sections of Tottenham’s support at the Bernabeu on Tuesday sang a chant at Adebayor which contains the words “your dad washes elephants.”
While Togo international Adebayor said the fight against racism in football would continue he acknowledged “we can’t do anything to stop it.”
“Big players better than me have tried to stop that, but it’s not easy at all,” Adebayor told the Guardian.
“Racist? We have done everything we can to show the red card to racism. But people are still into it, that’s part of life.
“Coming from Africa, I’m just very happy, playing football is like a dream that comes true. And I just want to send a big support to all Africa, with what is happening in Libya and what is happening in the Ivory Coast. I’ve got a lot of family, a lot of friends.
“Racists are always there and we can’t do anything to stop it. Samuel Eto’o and big players have spoken about it better than I do, but it’s not stopped them.”
Tottenham could face a fine of 20,000 pounds if their supporters are deemed to have been guilty of racism.
A Tottenham spokesman said the club had been made aware of the chant directed at Adebayor in the past and consulted Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which did not regard it as racist.
“The chant referred to has been previously discussed with the CPS, who do not consider it racist,” he said.
“We shall continue to remind our fans that we do not tolerate any form of obscene or abusive chanting.”
