Racist chants at derby match spark investigation

9:29am Monday 17th March 2008

Blackpool football chairman Karl Oyston is to meet with police in a bid to prevent of the racist chanting which marred Saturday's derby with Preston.

He has issued a warning that racist behaviour will not be tolerated at Bloomfield Road.

A small minority of fans from both clubs were reported to have shouted inappropriate comments during the 0-0 draw.

Mr Oyston said: "Racism of any kind is totally unacceptable and we will not put with it at Bloomfield Road.

"The football industry has worked long and hard to ban this kind of behaviour and I can assure you that we will take a very hard line with anybody found to be making inappropriate comments."

He added anybody making racist abuse would be banned from the club and prosecuted.

Two people were arrested during the game on suspicion of racist behaviour.

Another man was arrested on suspicion of assault, two for drugs offences and one for breach of the peace.

Police said there were no major incidents of disorder either at the game or afterwards.