- Stan Collymore accused Harkness of racially abusing him. Referee Graham Poll explains: "Collymore ran to me, clearly incensed at a comment which he felt was racist from Harkness. I could tell that he was convinced that the remark had been made but I had not heard anything. At the next stoppage in play, I asked Harkness what had happened. He vehemently denied any wrongdoing and so I was powerless to act. Of course, I reported the incident to the Football Association, who conducted an investigation but without any other player or official having heard anything and no video evidence, they could not act. Even if spectators had supported Collymore’s claims, the FA would have needed more solid evidence to charge and ultimately find a player guilty of such a serious allegation. Harkness denied making the comment throughout the game and in the investigation. Only Collymore and Harkness know the truth."
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