Demba Ba: West Ham fan screamed racist abuse at me

EPL ; Demba Ba, West Ham United v Liverpool

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West Ham forward Demba Ba has alleged the brawl at the clubs end of season party was started after a fan shouted racist abuse at him.

Police were called to London’s Grosvenor House Hotel last night and Ba has hit back at reports suggesting the incident started after he refused to sign an autograph, instead stating the brawl was the result of an abusive fan

“It was a crazy situation. This guy came to me when we were sitting at the table,” Ba told talkSPORT.

“There were two players per table and Manuel Da Costa was with me.

“This guy came and asked for an autograph so I gave him his autograph. Then he asked me nicely how I was feeling so I just said I was tired from the game yesterday and that it was a tough game.

“And then he just replied: ‘Oh, we’re tired watching you play every weekend.’

“I was surprised and told Da Costa what the guy had said.”

The Senegalese international said it was at this point that tensions rose further.

“Then the guy all of a sudden started screaming at me like crazy,” he added.

“I tried to calm him down but he didn’t want to. He kept on screaming, then some players came and pushed me out of there.

“They just told me to walk away and tried to calm this guy but he didn’t want to calm down and started smashing some tables and glasses.

“Herita Ilunga was sitting on the table next to me. He is a calm guy so I just said come and try to calm this guy but he started insulting me.

“So I got up to show I’m not impressed at all by him but this guy was a bit drunk. The people next to me said he was saying racist things”

And Ba has accused the supporter of aiming racist abuse directly at him, adding: “When he talked to me I didn’t understand everything that he said but the people next to me said he was saying racist things and stuff.

“When Danny Gabbidon heard these words he came and tried to talk to him but this guy didn’t want to listen and started insulting Gabbidon as well.

“Nobody punched anybody like I read in the newspaper today. It was just one guy screaming and smashing tables.”

Ba’s future has come under debate following the side’s relegation at the weekend and the striker admits he is unsure where he will be plying his trade next season.

He continued: “We’re going to have some time off because it’s been a really long season and I’ll think about my future later on.”