FA charges West Brom's Rodriguez with alleged racial abuse

West Bromwich Albion forward Jay Rodriguez has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for alleged racial abuse of Brighton defender Gaetan Bong.

In a statement Thursday, the FA wrote, "It is alleged (Rodriguez) used abusive and/or insulting words which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race."

During a Jan. 13 league match at the Hawthorns, Bong appealed to match official Martin Atkinson, saying that Rodriguez pantomimed pinching his nose to imply that the Cameroonian full-back smelled. According to Bong's account, as relayed by The Independent's Luke Brown, Rodriguez told him, "You are black and you stink."

After the match, Bong provided detail of the incident on French television, saying, "He was upset because I blocked him and after that he said some words. He said racist comments.

"I looked for the referee to tell him. First the referee told me to get back in position. I didn't accept that so easily. I am a black man. We're in 2018 and we cannot tolerate this. I hope there will be sanctions."

Bong added, "At the end of the game he tried to say, 'No I didn't say that.' But I said, 'You can't say that. Not to a human being. And most of all not to a black man, at this period, with everything that is happening in the world.'"

Rodriguez responded to the charges with a statement on Twitter.

West Brom also commented. Director of football administration Richard Garlick told the club's website, "As a club we remain fully supportive and committed to backing Jay throughout this process."

Rodriguez, 28, has until Feb. 16 to respond to the charge.