Coventry City ‘sickened’ by racist abuse after penalty miss

Coventry City have condemned messages of racist abuse sent to Fankaty Dabo
Photo: supplied

Coventry City say they are “sickened and saddened” by racist abuse sent to defender Fankaty Dabo after the club’s Championship play-off final defeat

Dabo was the only player to miss his penalty in Coventry’s 6-5 shootout loss to Luton at Wembley on Saturday.

The messages sent to Fankaty were disgusting and there is no place for any person who sent such vile abuse at any of our games, and social media is not a hiding place to make these comments,” Coventry’s owner Doug King said.

“The club and our partners would support Fankaty, and we will not hesitate in taking action against those people found to have done this.

Coventry is a tolerant and multi-cultural city that we are proud to represent, and there is no place any form of racism or discrimination in person or on social media.”

Coventry said they will work with police, the English Football League and the Professional Footballers’ Association to ban and prosecute individuals responsible for racist messages.

Londoner Dabo, 27, is one of seven first-team players being released when their Sky Blues contracts expire.

Coventry thanked supporters for the positive messages sent to Dabo after the game and have said they will provide support for the player.

Dabo’s missed spot-kick at Wembley proved to be his final act in a Coventry shirt.

The former Chelsea youth team player made 131 appearances during his four years with the Sky Blues and helped Mark Robins’ side win the 2019-20 League One title.

Julien Dacosta, Todd Kane, Sean Maguire, Michael Rose, Martyn Waghorn and Tyler Walker are the other senior players set to leave the club.

Captain Liam Kelly has been offered a new one-year contract.

-BBC