Germany team deny racist abuse allegations

BERLIN, Oct 11 (Reuters) A Germany player at the centre of allegations over racist remarks against two England players during an Under-21 match has denied the accusations, the German football association (DFB) said today.

DFB spokesman Harald Stenger told Reuters a thorough investigation had been made into allegations raised by England that black defenders Anton Ferdinand and Micah Richards were subjected to racist slurs.

Stenger said Under-21 coach Dieter Eilts today had questioned his team in phone calls and they had all vehemently denied the allegations.

Werder Bremen striker Aaron Hunt said there had been verbal sparring during yesterday's match but nothing remotely racist.

''I did not use any racist terms whatsoever,'' Hunt was quoted as saying in a DFB statement. ''Obviously there were some fierce verbal exchanges but that sort of thing happens in every match.'' Hunt added he was shocked by the allegations.

''I just spent a week with the Under-21 team and shared a room together with Kevin Prince Boateng,'' Hunt said. ''He's a black player. I hope that says it all.'' When German officials learned of the allegations, more than an hour after the European championship playoff in Leverkusen, they asked the only player still available, Under-21 captain Stefan Kiessling, who said he had not heard anything.

England beat Germany 2-0, eliminating the hosts from the U-21 European championship and the 2008 Olympics.

Both sides finished with 10 men as German defender Markus Brzenska was sent off in the 13th minute and England's Steven Taylor followed in the 59th.

CONTACT UEFA In London, the English FA said they would contact UEFA about the incident.

''Two of our players reported that they received racial abuse from Germany players,'' a Football Association spokesman said.

''It's a matter we raised with the UEFA delegate after the game and we will be formally communicating with UEFA in the next couple of days.'' Underlining the FA's commitment to tackling racism, he added: ''If any of our players are subject to racist abuse it's our duty to take that up with the relevant authorities -- and we will do that.'' A UEFA spokesman said today it was reserving comment until it received the match referee and delegate reports, which are expected by the end of the week.

The DFB have made efforts to stop racism and the two teams held up a banner before the match saying: ''No to racism.'' However, there have been recent some ugly incidents in Germany, especially in lower divisions.

Germany's Ghanaian-born striker Gerald Asamoah faced racist chants from fans at a cup match between his Schalke 04 and Hansa Rostock's regional league side last month. The DFB fined Rostock 20,000 euros for the incidents.

Last week, players from Jewish club TuS Makkabi in a Berlin district league walked off the pitch in the 78th minute in protest against anti-Semitic chants from fans and players of the opposing team, VSG Altglienicke.

Reuters SHB DB2301