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West Brom's Rodriguez to contest racial abuse charge

Michael Regan / Getty Images Sport / Getty

A month after the English Football Association charged West Bromwich Albion's Jay Rodriguez with racially abusing Brighton defender Gaetan Bong, the Baggies forward will officially contest the allegation.

The 28-year-old had until Friday to respond to the FA's charge. BBC Sport's Simon Stone reports that Rodriguez's challenge will be heard by a disciplinary panel on a yet-to-be-determined date.

Related: FA charges West Brom's Rodriguez with alleged racial abuse

If found guilty of aiming racial abuse at the Brighton full-back during a league match at the Hawthorns on Jan. 13, Rodriguez will serve a minimum five-match suspension.

Bong said Rodriguez pinched his own nose after a coming together with Cameroonian defender and then made a racist comment, prompting Bong to address the match official. West Brom pledged it would "fully support" Rodriguez, who described his reaction as "disbelief at the situation."

Baggies boss Alan Pardew has since suggested the matter will take a while to resolve, saying, "(A hearing) is some way off I think. Obviously he's contesting it.

"He's been a great pro. He's pretty level-headed and I haven't seen too dramatic a change in his attitude to training, or anything if I'm honest."

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