Kick it Out to investigate after Watford youth team walk off pitch following allegations of racist abuse in Italy

Watford boss Gianfranco Zola says the club will look to take action following alleged racist abuse aimed at their youth players during a tournament in Italy.



The Hornets' under-19 team were taking part in the Wojtyla Cup in Rome when academy coach Dave Hughes ordered his players to leave the pitch.



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Walk away: Watford Under-19s coach Dave Hughes (blue top) calls his players to leave the pitch following allegations of racial abuse during a match against Latina Calcio in Italy Watford were trailing 1-0 in a match against Latina Calcio when it is claimed some of their team were racially abused.

And Zola said: 'Apparently there had been some bad tackles and some racist words used.

'What happened is not nice and if there is something we can do, we'll do it.'

The anti-discrimination group Kick It Out have also confirmed that they are investigating the matter.

A spokesman said: ‘We are making enquiries to establish the full facts surrounding an alleged racist incident which took place in the Wojtyla Cup fixture between Watford Academy and Latina Calcio.’ Management: Zola says Watford will look to take action after the abuse of the club's youth team

There was an incident in Italy at the beginning of this year when former Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, then of AC Milan, led his team-mates off the pitch during a friendly against fourth division side Pro Patria after black players were subjected to racist abuse from a section of the crowd.



Boateng, now of Schalke, kicked the ball into the area of spectators and the game was subsequently abandoned.



The Wojtyla Cup is played in memory of Pope John Paul II, whose birth name was Karol Wojtyla.

