Police investigating racism allegation after reported altercation between fan & Kolarov

15 Dec 2012 17:05:00

The Serbia international is alleged to have entered into a row with a supporter carrying an Albania flag during Manchester City's 3-1 win at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon

Police have launched an investigation into an allegation of racist abuse after Manchester City's Aleksandar Kolarov was involved in an altercation with a fan during his side's victory over Newcastle United at St James' Park on Saturday.

A statement released confirmed that the incident took place during the game, were it is alleged Kolarov confronted a fan carrying an Albania flag as he warmed up.

Relations between Albania and Kolarov's native Serbia have been tense for a number of years, with flashpoints between the two nations during the Yugoslav wars in the early 90s. The Serbian government were also unhappy with Albania backing Kosovo as an independent state in 2008.

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Kolarov played in the match as a 37th-minute replacement for Samir Nasri, but was himself withdrawn before the game ended, with an apparent injury.

A spokesman said: "Northumbria Police has received a report of racist language having been used at the St James' Park stadium during the Newcastle United v Manchester City match today.

"Northumbria Police takes such allegations extremely seriously and enquiries are ongoing into the incident."

City won the game 3-1 thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero, Javi Garcia and Yaya Toure, while Demba Ba netted the hosts' solitary strike.