Spurs slam Sergei Rebrov for racist jibe

Tottenham today defended their local community after Sergei Rebrov's astonishing outburst about "dark-skinned people" threatening crime around White Hart Lane.

Ukraine international Rebrov, who failed to make an impact in his three years at the club, sparked a racism row by warning new Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko to avoid walking in the area near the ground.

Rebrov told Russian magazine Football Weekly: "A lot of dark-skinned people live there. So naturally the crime rate is higher than anywhere else.

"It is not nice to be a robbery victim. So I suggest that Roman doesn't walk but drives around that area."

But Spurs were quick to distance themselves from Rebrov's remarks.

A spokesman said: "These comments have been made by a player who is no longer with the club.

"We do not tolerate discrimination of any sort at the club, on or off the pitch.

"Tottenham has been at the heart of the local community for 126 years, and our passion on the pitch is shared with the passion we have for the borough."