Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror - Arsenal FC Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Defiant Arsenal youngster Jordi Osei-Tutu refused to be forced out of a pre-season friendly by racist abuse and accused an opponent of showing him “disrespect”.

The 20-year-old rising star, on loan at German second-tier side Vfl Bochum, walked off the pitch in tears insisting he’d been called a ‘black c***’ by an opposition player in the game on Tuesday against Swiss side St Gallen.

Osei-Tutu returned, however, insistent he would not allow the alleged abuse to prevent him completing the game or react in a manner that would bring himself or his club into disrepute.

The emotional scenes, caught on camera, illustrate the scale of the problem touching yet another generation after a seminal campaign in which football claimed to be tackling racism head on.

Slough-born defender Osei-Tutu said: “I am very disappointed that I was racially abused. Nobody should ever be discriminated against and it is really hard to understand how a fellow professional footballer can behave disrespectfully in this way.

(Image: Getty)

“Arsenal and Bochum have provided great support to me and I hope that if nothing else, we can show that racism has no place within football.”

Osei-Tutu moved up to Arsenal’s U23s last year, making 18 appearances to help win the title. But he was left distraught and bewildered in the hours after Tuesday’s incident. It is the first time he had ever suffered racist abuse in the game.

He is seen in the footage, three minutes before half time, talking to an opposition player before the camera pans away.

Seconds later, Osei-Tutue appears agitated and emotional before walking towards the centre-circle. He then remonstrates with the referee before walking off, refusing the attempts of his team-mates to keep him on the field.

As he leaves he covers his face, choking back tears. But he returned for the second half to complete the match. He later reposted a video of the incident on his Instagram feed with the caption “Say No To Racism”.

Bochum responded on social media, announcing an investigation into the incident and reassuring fans that they will be supporting their player.

“VfL Bochum vehemently condemns all forms of racism,” said the club. “Jordi, we stand behind you! The incident in yesterday’s test game against St Gallen will be further processed with all participants. The club reserves the right to take further steps.”

Arsenal released a statement on Wednesday confirming they are “working closely with Bochum and Jordi and we are giving him our full support. Racism has no place in our game and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination.”

St Gallen have issued a statement of their own confirming they have spoken to their player but suggested no further action will be taken as he denied any wrongdoing.

The Swiss club said: ”St. Gallen would like to make it clear the club condemns every form of racism or discrimination. Any such behaviour will be punished.

“Our players treat each other with respect regardless of origins, skin colour or religion. The player who was involved in the incident has assured the club’s hierarchy that he stuck to the club’s philosophy in yesterday’s game against Bochum.”