A woman in the UK who is accusing her Asian son’s youth football team of racism has called in the police because the coach kept substituting him.

The police and Football Association “are investigating a youth football team over claims managers and coaches repeatedly subbed a nine-year-old boy because he is Asian,” says a report in today’s edition of UK’s Daily Mail.

Fehnez Khan, of Solihull, claims her son was taken off and substituted on race grounds during a match while playing for Knowle Juniors.

“The Birmingham FA is investigating the claims, which have been strenuously denied by the club, established in 1926,” say the report.

“Police were called in by the Khans following a touchline verbal exchange between the boy’s older brother Mohysn, 22, and other parents,” the report adds.

Mrs. Khan, who has asked for her little boy’s name to be withheld, was quoted as saying: “My son is devastated and upset. He was substituted more than any other child.

“I want an apology to my son and a refund of the £160 subs I paid because the club did not benefit him.”

Members of the Khan family and club representatives have now attended a meeting overseen by police officers at Shirley Police Station.

The claims are being investigated by the FA, while police say they hope to “resolve this locally.”

Knowle Juniors, who are in the Warwickshire League, which runs 22 teams, denies the race claims.

A spokesman said: “We are very upset by these allegations. We have taken statements from nine parents, including those of an Asian player.

“They have all said this is a football, not racial, issue.

“The manager has had so much support from parents. Mrs. Khan wants the manager and assistant removed. There is no way that is going to happen.”

Mrs. Khan claims her boy, a club member for two years, has been criticised and forced to sit on the subs bench.

The police station meeting on March 20th has done nothing to calm troubled waters, she said.

“The club are in denial. The club’s child welfare officer said he found nothing substantiated, but no-one spoke to me or my son.”

Knowle FC recently received Community Club Charter status from the FA – an acknowledgement of its good work in the area.

The club said Mrs. Khan’s son was not the only player to be subbed.

“There are two other children who have got less game time,” said the spokesman.

•Photo, courtesy Daily Mail, shows the 9-year-old boy.

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