PARIS - The president of France's Professional Football League (LFP), Frederic Thiriez, on Sunday called for an investigation into claims Auxerre's Kamel Chafni was racially abused by a linesman.

Chafni, a Morocco international, was sent off following an altercation with the assistant referee, Johann Perruaux, in the 55th minute of Auxerre's 1-0 loss at Brest in the French top flight on Saturday.

The midfielder had to be restrained by his teammates, as well as players from Brest, and as he left the pitch, following a delay of five minutes, he told television cameras he had been the victim of racist abuse.

"The LFP president has spoken with the Auxerre president, Gerard Bourgoin, the director of national refereeing, Marc Batta, and the referee from the match, Tony Chapron," said a statement released by the LFP.

"Frederic Thiriez has demanded the opening of an inquiry in order to shed light on this affair as quickly as possible."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 12/20/2011 page22)