West Brom striker Jay Rodriguez has been charged with using "abusive and/or insulting words which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race" in the Premier League match against Brighton on January 13, the Football Association has said. Footage shows the pair arguing and bumping into each other, before Rodriguez holds his nose and waves his hand as if to gesture Bong smells. The FA said on Thursday Rodriguez has been charged with using "abusive and/or insulting words which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race". Rodriguez, 28, who won one England cap in 2013, has until February 16 to respond to the FA charge. West Brom manager Alan Pardew said after the match he found it "very difficult" to believe that Rodriguez would make a racist comment, adding: "Jay Rodriguez claims that the allegation, whatever the allegation is, is untrue."

Source: Evening echo February 08, 2018 17:44 UTC