Swindon Town boss denies racial abuse
Swindon Town FC have responded to the Football Association's decision to open an investigation into claims Paolo Di Canio racially abused Leyton Orient striker Jonathan Tehoue.
The FA have confirmed they will investigate a complaint over the alleged conduct of the Italian boss while Tehoue was on loan at the County Ground in March. Tehoue originally complained to the club's chief executive Nicholas Watkins that Di Canio had made a racially abusive comment about him in front of Swindon players. The Robins boss' alleged comments were later relayed to Tehoue by his team-mates.
The Orient forward has now written a formal letter of complaint to the FA, who have decided to open a full enquiry into the matter.
A statement released on the Wiltshire club's official website, www.swindontown.co.uk, says:
'The club feels it is imperative to put the record straight on a number of points. For the record, Swindon Town FC states categorically that it operates a zero tolerance approach towards racism. With regard to the specific complaint raised by Jonathan Tehoue, the board was fully appraised of the facts at the time of the alleged incident back in March and having investigated it, was satisfied that it was without merit and took appropriate action then. The club will of course happily assist the FA in its enquiries. The manager, Paolo Di Canio, denies completely any suggestion that he used toward Jonathan Tehoue or anyone, abusive, insulting or threatening words or behaviour by reference to race, or at all. The board wishes to affirm its complete and unequivocal support for its manager in this regard. Further, the board is wholly satisfied that any decisions concerning Jonathan Tehoue's playing career whilst at Swindon Town FC were made for purely footballing reasons.'
Di Canio guided Town to the npower League Two title in his first season as a football manager, and was named as the League Managers' Association manager of the year for his division.
Tehoue made just three appearances for the Wiltshire club before Di Canio cut short his loan spell.