Kettering reject race abuse claim

Ladak strongly criticised Jackson's conduct during Saturday's game

Kettering chairman Imraan Ladak says no evidence has been found of racist abuse towards Lincoln City players and staff in their FA Cup tie on Saturday.

Lincoln manager Peter Jackson claimed racist taunts had been directed at the Imps' bench at Rockingham Road.

The incident was noted in referee Simon Hooper's match report.

But in a statement on Kettering's website, Ladak said: "There is no evidence that a single supporter racially abused the Lincoln bench."

Ladak also accused Jackson of provoking the home fans.

"Peter Jackson spent much of Saturday's game acting in an inappropriate manner," he said.

"If the Lincoln bench had been subjected to any form of racism I am sure the fourth official, one of our players, one of our stewards or one of our supporters must have heard or seen it too."

But Jackson's assistant Iffy Onuora says fourth official Amy Rayner did overhear the abuse.

He told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "The fourth official specifically said at the end of the game, if I wanted to put anything in writing, feel free."

Following Ladak's comments Lincoln City issued a statement on Tuesday saying that they will be making no further comment, "until advised to do so by their legal advisors".