LOMANA LUALUA last night accused Christian Vieri of calling him "a monkey" as football's latest race row took an ugly turn.

With UEFA already investigating a Newcastle United complaint following Tuesday's dramatic Champions League match at Internazionale, LuaLua cranked up the heat on Vieri with his claims.

LuaLua was booked in the dying stages of the 2-2 draw between Inter and Newcastle after a bust-up with Vieri.

But he spoke publicly for the first time yesterday to condemn the Italy striker, plus an unnamed Inter player, for their alleged racist outbursts.

LuaLua said: "Vieri told me I was a monkey and that's the reason I got angry.

"I wanted to tell him to stop, but I was provoked into a physical reaction as well as a verbal reaction.

"Vieri was close to me, and he arrived pushing me and telling me I was a monkey.

"Obviously, that was in addition to the other general insults, but the incomprehensible thing is racism.

"Vieri wasn't alone in insulting me. There was another Inter player, but I don't remember who it was.

"The club decided to complain because people saw what happened.

"They didn't only make insults against me, but against Titus Bramble, too. And I'm not referring to the boos coming from the stands, but to opposition players.

"In England, these things don't happen, at least not at the top level. The last time I was racially insulted was many years ago when I was at Colchester.

"You can't lose your respect for your opponent, otherwise it's all over."

Sir Bobby Robson refused to be drawn into the increasingly bitter argument yesterday but congratulated LuaLua and Bramble for keeping their cool.

The Newcastle manager said: "I was very pleased with how they dealt with what happened. You have to remain focused and not listen to it.

"I can confirm that we have made a representation to UEFA about that incident, but other than that I don't want to comment at present."

Robson claimed last night that Kieron Dyer's lengthy catalogue of injury problems has taken a mental toll on the Newcastle midfielder.

Dyer will today discover the severity of the hamstring problem that prevented him from playing against Inter at the San Siro.

A fortnight ago, Dyer had his fears that he had suffered another stress fracture of the shin allayed when an X-ray revealed he was fully fit.

Robson said: "The outcome of Kieron's scan will decide whether he can play against Charlton on Saturday. If there's nothing on the scan, he'll feel a lot better.

"I'd want that reassurance if I were a player. In my playing days, you couldn't have a scan; you said if you were fit or not.

"Kieron's shin was hurting him, but he was a different player the day after the scan showed there was nothing there.

"He's got a tight hamstring at the top of his left leg, and if there's something on the scan he won't be playing.

"It's not a serious injury, but the scan will show if it's semi-serious or if he's all right.

"I'm confident that, if he doesn't play at Charlton, he'll be fit for Barcelona. And he's probably thinking about that game already."

Andy O'Brien was due to undergo surgery after he damaged his nose against Inter, but it has been delayed after it emerged it is not broken.

Robson added: "Andy has damaged his septum. We think he might need an operation later in the season.

"It's sore because he got a real whack on the nose, but it's not broken and he can breathe comfortably."

Laurent Robert suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury in Milan but he should be fit for tomorrow's game.

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