Luis fury over race slur

Luis Boa Morte today revealed to Standard Sport why he is accusing Duncan Ferguson of racially abusing him.

But the Everton striker has hit back, vehemently denying the allegation. A spokesman for Ferguson said: "Anybody who knows Duncan knows that he would never say anything like that."

The Fulham winger claims the Scot insulted him with reference to his skin colour and a four-letter expletive during their FA Cup fourth-round game last Sunday.

The Football Association today confirmed that they are expecting an official complaint to be faxed to them from Fulham this afternoon. They will then decide whether to investigate the incident, which allegedly took place towards the end of the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

There was an off-the-ball skirmish between the two players near the centre circle during a stoppage which was broken up by one of the linesmen. Boa Morte also claims he was punched by Ferguson but no action was taken at the time and it is thought that there was no reference to it in the referee's report from the game.

The pair are due to meet again next Wednesday in their FA Cup replay and this very serious allegation will surely overshadow the game at Loftus Road.

Boa Morte claimed: "Things happened when the referee was giving a yellow card at the other end of the pitch. Ferguson came towards me and started offending me with racist abuse and said something I cannot put up with.

"He cannot call me 'black ****' while he is playing football. He should at least respect the black players in his team. It is something I cannot allow someone to do. I want the Football Association to investigate.

"I am really angry about what happened. I have never had to suffer anything like this before in my whole career. I don't have any history with Ferguson, this was totally out of the blue. We were just holding each other because we were going to fight for the ball and it is normal when you are marking a player.

"He pushed me and punched me and I am sure the linesman saw it yet he did not say anything to the referee. But never mind that, the racism was worse."

The FA have the power to ban or fine someone for racial abuse if there is a complaint and a guilty verdict, although in some cases a swift and public apology has persuaded them that a conduct warning is sufficient.

Ferguson, who rarely speaks to the press, has denied the allegation and it would be difficult to prove without witnesses giving evidence. Everton refused to comment on the claim, which is the latest controversy involving Boa Morte and Everton.

The Portugal international is set to face an improper conduct charge for allegedly gesturing to the away fans during Fulham's 2-1 win against them in the Premiership earlier this month.

A matchday programme and a lighter were also thrown at him during the game and he was a central figure in a mass brawl during a match against Everton two seasons ago.

Ferguson is no stranger to controversy and served six weeks of a three-month prison sentence in 1995 for butting an opponent while playing for Rangers.

Meanwhile, Fulham are hoping to sign teenage sensation Collins John as a long-term replacement for Louis Saha. They are negotiating with FC Twente for the 18-year-old, who is among the top scorers in the Dutch premier league with nine goals this season.

Defender Ian Pearce, recently signed from West Ham, should make his debut against Spurs tomorrow as Alain Goma (hamstring) will be rested.

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