Search icon

Football

16th May 2021

Burnley report Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski over ‘racist’ gesture made towards Dwight McNeil

Burnley have filed a report against Leeds' Ezgjan Alioski after he made a gesture towards Dwight McNeil during a dispute on the pitch

Reuben Pinder

McNeil was substituted shortly after the incident

Burnley have filed a report against Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski over a gesture he made towards Dwight McNeil on Saturday.

McNeil and Alioski were involved in several close battles down Burnley’s right flank, and when the pair clashed in the 70th minute, Alioski appeared to put his hands behind his ears before sticking his tongue out at McNeil.

The Burnley winger, who is mixed race, was substituted shortly afterwards by his manager Sean Dyche, who said his player looked “really jaded”.

Fourth official Anthony Taylor made match referee Graham Scott aware of the incident. Both managers then had a long discussion with the match officials.

After the game, Burnley boss Sean Dyche confirmed McNeil had reported the incident to the FA.

“The complaint will be passed on to the FA. The player made the report. I was there and I have witnessed the report,” he said after his side’s 4-0 home loss.

“I was going to take him off. He has done me well but this was the first time he looked really jaded,” Dyche added.

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa apologised for not answering a question about it in his post-match interview, saying: “I would prefer the referee makes this public. I apologise.”

“If there was a gesture I didn’t see it. In front of me I saw a dispute (between the two players). I didn’t think it was too different to what happens in games,” the Argentine added.

Leeds emerged 4-0 victors from Turf Moor thanks to an opener from Kilich, a brace from Rodrigo Moreno and a slightly fortunate flick from Jack Harrison, bringing their points tally for the season to 53 – just two points shy of Arsenal with two games remaining.