SOCCER NEWS ROUND-UP:THE SHAMROCK Rovers player at the centre of an allegation of racial abuse last night categorically denied the accusation

Derry City striker Eamon Zayed reported to match officials after the Premier Division game with Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Monday night he had been racially abused by an opponent on the pitch.

Zayed scored Derry’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw. The 27-year-old is the league’s leading scorer with 12 goals.

It subsequently emerged through Derry manager Stephen Kenny in post match interviews Zayed had also been racially abused by sections of the home crowd during last Friday’s match between Derry and St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.

Both the FAI and the players’ union are investigating the claims.

In a statement released late last night, Shamrock Rovers said that after becoming aware of they complaint made against their player, “The club has spoken to the player in question and he completely rejects the accusation that has been made against him.

“The club will, of course, co-operate with the FAI investigation in a bid to clear the name of the player involved and the club.

“We also regret that our name was publicly associated with such claims on the basis of an accusation and without any investigation taking place.”

Dublin-born of a Tunisian father, Zayed came up through the ranks of the famous St Joseph’s Boys club in south Dublin, and played underage international football for the Republic of Ireland up to under-21 level, being capped 11 times.

He played for Ireland in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in the UAE in 2003. Zayed has since become a full international for Libya, for whom he qualifies to play through his grandparents.

The FAI came out yesterday afternoon to confirm an official investigation by Abbotstown is under way.

“The FAI takes all instances of racist abuse very seriously and does not condone nor accept any racist behaviour or attitudes,” said Airtricity League director Fran Gavin.

“However, there is a complete process to go through when allegations of this nature are made. We will look for comments from the club and individuals allegedly involved and will address the matter in a sensitive fashion.

“We’ve shown in the past that the league and the Association will act swiftly on these matters. All our clubs have supported our Show Racism the Red Card campaign for several years now in conjunction with the PFAI.

“Racism is something we will not tolerate in our game and thankfully it hasn’t been a feature in our games. However, it is something we must always be mindful of.”

In the only other major incident of racism dealt with by the domestic game in April 2009, Bohemians’ defender Jason McGuinness received a five-match suspension from the FAI for admitting he had racially abused Sligo Rovers’ Benin international Romuald Boco.

Zayed has also lodged a compliant with the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland.

“The PFAI has been approached by Derry City player Eamon Zayed in relation to an allegation of racial abuse by an opposition player during Monday night’s fixture with Shamrock Rovers,” the PFAI said in a statement.

“The Association has not yet been contacted by the player alleged to have made the comment.”