Police and FA investigating alleged racism from Carlisle fans

The Football Association and Cumbria Police are investigating following the alleged racist abuse of Everton players in Sunday's 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Carlisle at Brunton Park.

The clubs pledged to work closely with police and rival managers Roberto Martinez and Keith Curle united to condemn the incident which came after Arouna Kone struck in the second minute to put the Toffees ahead at Brunton Park and set them on their way to a 3-0 victory. 

The FA have also said they will be investigating the issue as a matter of urgency.

A statement read: "We have received the referee's report regarding the alleged incident during the game between Carlisle United and Everton. 

"We have contacted both clubs and will be conducting an immediate and thorough investigation.

"The FA strongly condemns any discriminatory behaviour and will continue to work with partners across the game to combat it whenever it arises."

Referee Lee Mason was praised for the way he handled the incident and a public address system message soon after Kone's goal announced any abuse would not be tolerated.

Martinez said it was his understanding some "racial remarks" had come from the Warwick Road End stand as Kone and Steven Pienaar celebrated the opening goal, and that they were "hurt" by what they heard.

A statement from Cumbria Police issued after the game said: "Cumbria Constabulary are investigating allegations of racist behaviour... directed towards Everton players following the first goal.

"Hate crime will not be tolerated in this county and any allegation will be fully investigated.

"Officers are making enquiries and the force is asking for those with information to get in touch."

Curle said: "The referee came over and said he had had a complaint from one of their players, saying that racist gestures were made. So an announcement was made over the tannoy and as a football club, as an organisation, we will do everything we can do to stamp that out.

"We don't want it inside Brunton Park, we don't want it in football and we don't want it in society.

"It's not what we want and not what we want attributed to our football club. All efforts will be made to make sure that does not happen inside this stadium.

"I know there was a steward in the terraces and CCTV as well. We will do everything we can to identify who it was and make sure the relevant penalties and punishments will be adhered to.

"I didn't hear it myself, but what I would say to any supporters who were next to people and heard people - please step forward and identify them, because it is not accepted."

Everton manager Martinez said: "We will help the police, Carlisle and everyone to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

"The referee, I thought, handled the situation really well. The last thing you want is to allow the game to be an exercise to abuse, and those sort of remarks have got no space, not just in football, in life in general.

"They [Kone and Pienaar] are okay. I think they were sensitive and hurt at that moment - probably they were fearful about the game developing into a difficult afternoon. But it was a one-off incident.

"It was maybe an emotional reaction once we scored and celebrated. I thought the referee dealt with it in the right manner and everyone at the ground stamped it out straight away.

"It was just an incident that you shouldn't see on a football pitch, but it was dealt with and everyone responded to it. It was just a minority and maybe a wrong reaction after conceding a goal."