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Nick Blackman: FA investigates chanting at Reading player Nick Blackman: Police investigates chanting at Reading player
(about 5 hours later)
A Football Association (FA) inquiry is under way after concerns over crowd chants at a Portsmouth v Reading game were raised by the referee. A police investigation is under way after a formal complaint was made over crowd chants at a Portsmouth v Reading game.
Reading winger Nick Blackman spoke to officials following the incident at Fratton Park on Tuesday.Reading winger Nick Blackman spoke to officials following the incident at Fratton Park on Tuesday.
Hampshire police said it concerned "chanting believed to be directed towards a player from Reading".Hampshire police said it concerned "chanting believed to be directed towards a player from Reading".
The club said it was helping the FA with its inquiries over the League Cup second round clash, won by Reading 2-1. The Football Association is also investigating. Reading FC won the League Cup second round clash 2-1.
The FA said it took all allegations "very seriously" but would not specify the nature of the incident.The FA said it took all allegations "very seriously" but would not specify the nature of the incident.
During a break in play just before half-time, Blackman was seen pointing towards a corner of the ground.During a break in play just before half-time, Blackman was seen pointing towards a corner of the ground.
'Zero tolerance approach''Zero tolerance approach'
He appeared to be unhappy about something that happened while he was taking a throw-in.He appeared to be unhappy about something that happened while he was taking a throw-in.
Supt Kelly Whiting, from Hampshire Constabulary, said a formal complaint had not yet been received, although officers were deployed to assist stewards at the time. Supt Kelly Whiting said: "Hampshire Constabulary has a zero tolerance approach towards verbal abuse which could be seen as racist or homophobic in these circumstances, however no individual was identified.
"Further chanting was not heard and officers were not required to take any action," she said. "Contact has been made with the player concerned and a formal complaint has also now been received in relation to this matter."
"Hampshire Constabulary has a zero tolerance approach towards verbal abuse which could be seen as racist or homophobic in these circumstances, however no individual was identified."
The player concerned had been contacted, she said.
In an official statement, Reading FC said: "The incident was immediately reported to referee Gavin Ward by Royals forward Nick Blackman... the club will now liaise further with the FA and offer the relevant authorities all the help we can provide on this matter."In an official statement, Reading FC said: "The incident was immediately reported to referee Gavin Ward by Royals forward Nick Blackman... the club will now liaise further with the FA and offer the relevant authorities all the help we can provide on this matter."
Reading assistant manager Kevin Keen said after the game that there had been a "couple of incidents in the first-half with Nick and the crowd".Reading assistant manager Kevin Keen said after the game that there had been a "couple of incidents in the first-half with Nick and the crowd".
He added: "There was something that was said to him in the crowd and the referee has acted very quickly and it was put to bed."He added: "There was something that was said to him in the crowd and the referee has acted very quickly and it was put to bed."