Fabregas denies Kanoute racial abuse

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has denied racially abusing Frederic Kanoute during Barca's 1-1 draw with Sevilla last weekend. Kanoute was sent off for grabbing Fabregas by the throat.

Fabregas apparently exchanged a racist remark with Kanoute, who reacted violently.

Fabregas said: "I talked by phone with Kanoute and we've clarified what happened yesterday. We both apologized and closed the matter.

"I can proudly say that after many years in football, I always maintained the best relationships with my team-mates who came from different backgrounds, races, religions and nationalities.

"No one has ever accused me of being racist or bigoted in all my years of playing in the game."