Messina defender Marc Zoro, a victim of racist abuse earlier in the season, has expressed his disgust over the racial abuse suffered by Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o in Saturday’s Spanish match at Real Zaragoza.

The Cameroon international tried to leave the field 14 minutes before the end due to the monkey noises that greeted him every time he touched the ball.

Eto’o was persuaded to play on by his team mates before helping the Spanish league leaders to a 2-0 victory.

“It’s incredible what happened at Zaragoza,” said Zoro who suffered similar abuse in a Serie A match in November.

“Some people haven’t got the message that we are all the same. My friend Eto’o has my total support.”

Zoro said he would be calling Eto’o to comfort him, just as Eto’o telephoned him after the incident in Italy.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard praised Eto’o’s teammates for rallying round the striker.

“It was a shame. Samuel is a human being and he felt bad on the pitch, but I was pleased with the attitude of his team mates who told him to continue,” he said.

“He proved he was able to overcome the circumstances and he made a valuable contribution to our victory. It’s sad that things like this happen as it is thanks to players like Samuel that the fans come to the stadium to be entertained.”

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