Brighton defender Gaetan Bong has spoken out for the first time after a charge he was racially abused by West Brom forward Jay Rodriguez was found to be not proven by the Football Association.
Rodriguez was accused of making an alleged remark to Cameroon international Bong during the Baggies' 2-0 Premier League victory over the Seagulls on January 13.
The FA announced last Friday that an Independent Regulatory Commission "determined that on the balance of probabilities the allegation was not proven" against Rodriguez, who criticised Bong for choosing "to publicly condemn" him.
On Wednesday evening, Brighton issued a statement on behalf of Bong that supported their player's version of events.