Altidore suffers racist abuse

AZ Alkmaar striker Jozy Altidore was subjected to racist abuse during his side's 5-0 victory over Den Bosch in the KNVB Cup but insisted the match should continue, his club confirmed.

Last Updated: 30/01/13 at 08:11 Post Comment

Jozy Altidore: Suffered racist abuse during game against Den Bosch

Jozy Altidore: Suffered racist abuse during game against Den Bosch

The game was twice halted due to trouble in the crowd, involving both chanting and the throwing of snowballs at an assistant referee.

American Altidore, who scored one of AZ's five goals on the night from the penalty spot, was targeted in the first half, according to the club's official Twitter feed.

The game was stopped by referee Reinold Wiedemeijer, but AZ said that Altidore, who played for Hull City in the 2009/10 season, asked for it to be continued.

Den Bosch director Peter Bijvelds addressed the crowd at half-time with an appeal for the abuse to stop, but problems persisted in the second half with the match halted again when snowballs were thrown at an official.

AZ Alkmaar cruised to victory in the match, which saw Den Bosch finish with nine men.

The visitors were already 3-0 ahead through goals from Viktor Elm, Johan Berg Gudmundsson and Adam Maher before Jelle de Bock was sent off for a foul in the area after 38 minutes.

Altidore converted the resulting penalty and the home side's miserable night continued when Joey Brock also received his marching orders early in the second half.

Soon after the second stoppage, AZ were quickly back on target with Maher scoring his second on the hour mark.

Altidore said: "It's a bit disappointing that these things still happen in this time we're in but what are you going to do?

"You just hope that these people can improve themselves. You pray for them.

"I feel like I have an obligation as a football player, to my club, to my family, to not react to things like this and to show that the club stands better than that, that I was raised better than to respond to such ridiculous behaviour."

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