'This cannot continue': Derby condemn racist abuse of Colin Kazim-Richards

Derby County have condemned the racist social media abuse aimed at Colin Kazim-Richards after he scored the equaliser in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

Kazim-Richards’ 84th-minute volley cancelled out James Garner’s opener in the east Midlands derby and the 34-year-old was targeted on his social media channels.

A club statement read: “It was brought to the club’s attention on Saturday morning that Colin Kazim-Richards had received racially abusive messages via his social media platforms. The abuse received by Colin resulted in him having to have a conversation with his young children to explain why, in this day and age, racism and discrimination still exists.

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“It should be clear, there is no place in sport or society for racism. Derby County has a zero-tolerance stance to discrimination and prejudiced behaviour and the racial abuse has been reported to the relevant authorities. Social media abuse is, sadly, becoming more common and it is all too easy for individuals to hide behind an account. This cannot continue.”

Kazim-Richards, London-born, has 37 caps for Turkey. The attack on him continues a lengthy spate of similar abuse aimed at footballers. Earlier this week Aston Villa reported to West Midlands police the abuse that Tyreik Wright, their teenage winger, received on Instagram.