Middlesbrough Police have confirmed the arrest of two away “supporters” following the Tees - Tyne derby between Middlesbrough and Newcastle last weekend after Egyptian striker Mido was subjected to Islamic / Racist chants while warming up for the second year in a row.

Via Soccernet

The two men, aged 49 and 23, have been arrested and will appear before Teesside Magistrates Court on December 9 charged with racial chanting.

A Middlesbrough spokesman said: “Middlesbrough FC has a very strong anti-racism stance.

“The club adopts a zero-tolerance attitude towards racism and, working with the police, we will not hesitate to ban supporters identified as directing racial abuse against players or other fans, as we have in the past.

“Middlesbrough Police have confirmed that two individuals were arrested at the game for racial chanting and have been given a court date.”

Via TheFA

“We condemn any racist or Islamophobic behaviour and are committed to working with our clubs and the police to stamp it out,” a spokesman for the FA said.

“We have an on-going investigation into the incidents on Saturday and are awaiting reports from Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.

“As always, the priority is to identify the individuals involved and take the strongest possible action against them.

“We fully support banning orders for anyone convicted of racist chanting.”

But Mido wasn’t happy saying, “They kept chanting disgusting words, racist words about Islam and unfortunately, this is the second time that the same fans have done this.”

“It happened again because after the first time the English FA did nothing. I considered this as an invitation from the English FA to the Newcastle supporters to repeat such shameful acts.

“The English FA said that they will be investigating the issue and will make use of the latest technology to stop such racist abuse of players, but I feel that nothing will happen.

“I am asking the English FA to take serious action to stop such things. These chants are not directed at me as a person, but it is directed at Islam.”

Image via DailyMail