Manchester City Under-21s walked off during a friendly in Croatia after one of their players was allegedly racially abused by an opponent.
The game against HNK Rijeka was abandoned after the incident involving French midfielder Seko Fofana, who was sent off after an off-the-ball clash.
Manchester City youngster Seko Fofana was apparently subjected to racial abuse from a HNK Rijeka player
The reigning Premier League champions released a statement on Tuesday evening which read: “Manchester City’s EDS U21 game with HNK Rijeka has today been cancelled due to an alleged incident of racial abuse towards the club’s young midfielder Seko Fofana by a member of the opposing team.
“Following an alleged incident in the latter stages of the first half of the game, being played in Novigrad, Croatia, a decision was taken by the management staff to withdraw the City team from the field of play and cancel the game.
“Club representatives in Croatia and in Manchester are liaising with officials, the match organisers and the Croatian Football Association to pursue this matter further.”
However, HNK Rijeka released a statement on their website which read: "Manchester City coach Patrick Vieira entered the field, something was discussed with the referee and then, to the amazement of a well-filled stadium, he took his team off the pitch.
"What are the reasons? They are known only to him."
Exciting prospect Fofana is a France U19 international who joined City from Ligue 1 side FC Lorient in January 2013.
Occasions when teams have walked off the pitch over racism are rare, with AC Milan's friendly at Italian lower division club Pro Patria in January 2013 the highest profile occurrence.
Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng sparked the walk-off - and the end of the game - by picking up the match ball and kicking it into the crowd following racially abusive chants from the crowd.
In October, City midfielder Yaya Toure called for stronger action against racism after he was subject to chanting from CSKA Moscow fans.
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