J-League to investigate on-field racist taunt claim

TOKYO: Japan's J-League has launched a formal investigation into Tokyo Verdy striker Leandro's claim that an opponent had mocked him with racist taunts.

Tempers frayed after the final whistle of Wednesday's second division game between Verdy and Ventforet Kofu when Leandro was booked for protesting too little injury time had been played. The Brazilian then claimed Kofu defender Arata Sugiyama had called him a "chimpanzee" in Portuguese.

The J-League told Reuters yesterday that they were conducting an investigation into the 28-year-old striker's comments.