AD Sanjoanense has issued a statement backing South African midfielder George Matlou after he was alleged racially abused by referee Nelson Cunha during their defeat in the Campeonato de Portugal this past Sunday.

The South African, who was shown his marching orders in the final moments of the game, asked referee Cunha to explain why he was sent off after which the racist incident took place.

But the Portuguese third-tier outfit revealed that a controversial incident happened at the final whistle of their 2-1 defeat by São João de Ver when the match official allegedly racially insulted the South African.

AD Sanjoanense have since released a statement supporting the SA midfielder:

‘AD Sanjoanense hereby comes to show its deep indignation and rejection of the events at the end of the game against São João de Ver.

‘Our player, George Matlou, went to referee Nelson Cunha at the end of the match to question why he was expelled, to which he replied, “No speak english [do not speak English], go inside macaquinho do c …”.

‘AD Sanjoanense, an eclectic and almost centenary club, cannot in any way agree with this situation and unconditionally supports the player, George Matlou, striving for the determination of the facts and exemplary penalty of the referred judge.’