London (AFP) – Brighton manager Chris Hughton believes a racism row involving Gaetan Bong and Jay Rodriguez will have no part to play when his side face West Brom in the the FA Cup on Saturday.
Seagulls full-back Bong alleged he had been racially abused by West Brom striker Rodriguez during a Premier League match at The Hawthorns in January of last year.
England’s governing Football Association eventually ruled the charge “not proven” but stressed it believed Bong’s complaint had been “made in absolute good faith”.
Now the two players are set to face one another for the first time since that flashpoint when Brighton welcome the Baggies to the Amex Stadium in this weekend’s fourth round of the FA Cup.
“There have been issues before and we are all very conscious of that,” said Hughton.
“But that was something in the past, I think it has to be that way.
“It was dealt with by the FA, I would have to say very, very well.”
Meanwhile, Hughton confirmed Brighton have agreed a deal to sign midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Argentinos Juniors, although the 20-year-old will stay on loan at the South American club on loan until the end of the season.
“Alexis is an exciting young player that we have brought in for the future, and he has already made a big impact playing in Argentina,” Hughton said.
