DOVER Athletic Football Club's player-coach Danny Chapman has been charged by the Football Association with making comments of a racial nature towards a team-mate.

Mr Chapman was sent off by the referee during the home match against Godalming Town on Saturday after allegedly making comments towards Anton Innocent.

At that point Mr Innocent was seen to race about 20 yards to push Mr Chapman. He escaped a red card and was talked out of walking off the pitch by his team-mates.

An FA spokesman has confirmed that Mr Chapman has been charged with “making abusive or racially insulting comments towards a team-mate".

Mr Chapman has until April 13 to respond to the charge. The FA will then consider what action to take.

Dover Athletic officials said in a statement they had been in contact with the FA, as well as their lawyers.

The statement said: “This club, as a supporter of Kick Racism Out of Football, has a zero tolerance. Under no circumstances will we condone any form of racism at our club or in the community at large.”

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