Barmby devastated by claims of racism

Nicky Barmby yesterday categorically denied racially abusing Middlesbrough's George Boateng during Leeds United's 2-2 draw at the Riverside.

The Leeds midfielder, whose face bore scratch marks he alleges were made by Boateng, said at a news conference called by his club yesterday that he was "absolutely devastated" when he discovered that the Dutchman had accused him of racism. "I haven't got a racist bone in my body," he said. "Afterwards he was the one who wanted to apologise to me. If I racially abused a bloke, surely he would want an apology."

Saturday's match ended in ugly scenes after Boro's French player Franck Queudrue was sent off for a foul on Lee Bowyer. Players pushed and shoved each other and Boateng appeared to spit in the direction of the Leeds defender Jonathan Woodgate.

Barmby said the flashpoint came after Queudrue's dismissal. "There was an incident with Lee Bowyer on the field and he [Boateng] accused him of diving when their guy got sent off," he said. "He got involved, I pushed him away, and asked what he was getting involved for. Words were exchanged between me and George. That's what goes on on a football pitch."

Barmby added: "In the players' tunnel I was scratched across the face by George Boateng. George has also gone on record to say we shook hands and he apologised to me personally after the game and that we met in the players' lounge. These claims are also untrue. He didn't personally apologise to me afterwards and I didn't even go in the players' lounge."

Terry Venables, Leeds United's manager, is so incensed about Boateng's accusation that he is considering taking the matter up personally with his Middlesbrough counterpart, Steve McClaren.

"This is a dangerous precedent and I think the questions should go to the other side and the answers be delivered by them," Venables said yesterday. "Maybe I will speak to Steve McClaren. I can't say more than that at this moment. This accusation about Nicky has come like a bolt out of the blue. I have known him for a long time. There is no way he should be sitting here defending himself."

Boateng could face an FA disciplinary charge after being caught on camera spitting in the direction of Woodgate at the end of the game. Barmby said he was then assaulted by Boateng in the tunnel as he made his way to the dressing room.

Venables revealed that Leeds had rejected an apology from Boateng after the game but were now looking for him to say sorry publicly.

About the spitting incident, Venables said: "It is clear and I don't think they [the FA] can ignore it. I haven't spoken to Jonathan about it. After the game there were a few problems, the boys were very upset. I asked Nicky what had gone on as his face had scratches on it.

"Things settled down, then we heard Boateng wanted to apologise. I felt the situation was far too inflamed and not a good moment for me to talk to the players about it. I said I wouldn't accept the apology but I would accept a public apology as [the incident happened] in public. We were prepared to forget this matter but if Boateng said he had made a mistake it would be very helpful."

The European game's governing body, Uefa, is determined to establish whether trouble among England fans at this month's Euro 2004 qualifier in Slovakia was sparked off by racist chants from some home supporters or whether it was unrelated hooliganism. Both the Slovak and English associations face punishment at an inquiry on 21 November.

Mike Lee, the Uefa director of communications, said: "Our job is to look at everything that went on and consider the reports of the match delegate and the referee and look at any evidence available from video."