West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison: Racist abuse triggered ‘homophobic’ Twitter outburst

The mercurial youngster told the FA that his comments were a reaction to abuse levelled at him by disgruntled Manchester United fans after his January switch to east London

14 Feb 2012 14:50:00

By Joe Wright

More On :  West Ham, Sam Allardyce, Ravel Morrison
Ravel Morrison of Manchester United
Getty

West Ham youngster Ravel Morrison last night told the FA that his recent ‘homophobic’ outburst on Twitter was triggered by racist abuse.

The troubled 19-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Manchester United on deadline day last month, claims that he was called a "black f****r" and "crackhead" by, what he classified as, disgruntled Red Devils fans.

Don't Miss

Morrison is currently awaiting a decision from the FA, after submitting his observations on the incident on Twitter in which he called one supporter a "f*ggot".

It is the latest controversy to hit the young man’s career, after a string of off-the-field antics blighted his time at Old Trafford.

Only last year, the Wythenshawe-born player was hit with a twelve-month referral order after pleading guilty to witness intimidation, while he has also been the subject of claims of assault and street robberies during his time in Manchester.

It is on the pitch where it is hoped he will begin to make headlines, however, and he could be in line to feature for West Ham against promotion rivals Southampton on Tuesday.

A win for Sam Allardyce’s men would see them move four points clear at the top of the Championship, having played a game less than the Saints.

The former Bolton boss is hoping that his side will now find the goals to continue their promotion charge, with strikers Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard having joined Morrison in moving to Upton Park last month.

Allardyce told the Sun: "We've been short of goals recently. The amount of chances we create, we have let ourselves down."

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line

    England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012

  2. How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory

    Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused

  3. In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012 In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012

    The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament

  4. Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job

    The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday

  5. Hungary - Republic of Ireland Preview Hungary - Republic of Ireland Preview

    Veteran Italian coach takes his Irish side to Újpest in Hungary for their last warm-up match before their highly-anticipated Euro 2012 opener against Group C rivals Croatia