By James Holt

Copyright manchestereveningnews

Salford City FC have issued statement over North Yorkshire Police’s handling of an alleged racist incident against player Adebola Oluwo. The defender alleged he was targeted by a spectator as he left the pitch towards the end of a match against York at the LNER Stadium on July 11, with the match subsequently being abandoned. However, North Yorkshire Police announced last Friday that following a “thorough and detailed investigation, there is no evidence to corroborate the report which was made” and that their officers were “satisfied that no offences have occurred”. Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here Salford City FC has now requested an independent review of force’s decision not to pursue charges against the suspected individual, despite ‘first-hand accounts’ from those present, adding the club was ‘extremely disappointed’. In response, a statement issued by the club said: “Salford City Football Club is extremely disappointed with the findings of the investigation by North Yorkshire Police, and the subsequent decision not to charge the individual responsible for the racist abuse aimed at Adebola Oluwo. “It is particularly concerning how the investigation concludes that there is no evidence to corroborate the report of abuse, despite a number of first-hand accounts of the abuse from those present at the fixture. “This includes from the match officials who we know, through discussions with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), gave verbal statements on the night and provided their details for the investigating team to follow up, but have not been contacted. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE “Having spoken with Adebola and sought further advice on the matter, including legal, we will be exercising the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme to request an independent review to reconsider this outcome.” Salford said their decision to seek a review had the ‘full and unequivocal support’ of the EFL, the Professional Footballers’ Association, PGMO and anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out. Their statement added: “”Our players, coaching staff, members and everybody at our Club stand united with Adebola. “The match officials, supported by their governing body PGMO, remain available to be contacted to provide their impartial accounts of events that evening. “We will pursue every available avenue to ensure accountability, and together send a clear message that racism has no place in our sport. No further comment will be made at this time.” North Yorkshire Police declined to offer any comment beyond the statement issued last week, according to the Press Association. — Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That’s why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable , highlighting the best of what we do – bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don’t miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@men-news.co.uk or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.