Port Vale condemn Exodus Geohaghon racist abuse

Geohaghon said in an interview yesterday that he has not trained for the past month after becoming the target for vitriolic and racist abuse from a group of Vale supporters, although the club say one supporter was responsible.

The 26-year-old, on loan from Peterborough, was barracked by some home supporters after a 3-0 League Two loss to Accrington Stanley at Vale Park on 22 March. Geohaghon said he was told a group of "20-30 fans" were waiting for him after the game.

On advice from the Professional Footballers' Association, he has since stayed at home in Birmingham and says nothing has been done to prevent further problems.

Vale insist they have acted and chief executive Perry Deakin said: "The club has fully co-operated with the Football Association following an incident of racist chanting after the team's defeat to Accrington Stanley.

"The video shows this was an isolated incident of abuse from one of our supporters and is not representative of the majority of Port Vale supporters, who do not and would not behave in this manner.

"The club has taken this incident incredibly seriously and has launched a number of measures, including covert surveillance in the stands and appeals through media sources from club officials, including the manager. Racism has no place in football. We are committed to identifying and banning any supporter who uses racist abuse in any circumstance at Vale Park."

Geohaghon admitted he shouted back at jibes as he left the field but said the situation escalated as objects were thrown and the abuse became more sinister, including rumours of fans waiting outside the ground.