Coventry condemn racist abuse of Fankaty Dabo as they release him just days after play-off penalty shootout miss

COVENTRY have condemned racist abuse aimed at Fankaty Dabo following his play-off penalty miss.

That’s after confirming the defender’s exit when his contract expires this summer.

Dabo, 27, missed Coventry’s sixth penalty in their dramatic shootout defeat to Luton at Wembley, leaving them stranded in the Championship for another season.

The former Chelsea academy star was devastated as he blazed his effort over the crossbar.

And Coventry have now hit out at sick trolls who sent disgusting racist abuse to Dabo in the wake of his miss, vowing to give the fan favourite their full support despite his impending exit.

A statement read: “Coventry City is sickened and saddened following the racist messages sent to Fankaty Dabo on social media following Saturday’s Play-Off final.

“The messages sent by some individuals to Fanktay are abhorrent. We are clear that there is no place for racism in our society and that the Club and our partners will provide all of the support to Fanky that he needs.

“The Club will work with the PFA, EFL and the Police regarding this matter, and will seek to ban and prosecute any person found to have sent racist messages.

“Many Sky Blues supporters sent supportive messages to Fanky following the game and we thank them for doing so.”

Owner and Executive Chairman Doug King added: “The messages sent to Fankaty were disgusting and there is no place for any person who sent such vile abuse at any of our games, and social media is not a hiding place to make these comments.

“The Club and our partners will support Fankaty, and we will not hesitate in taking action against those people found to have done this.

“Coventry is a tolerant and multi-cultural city that we are proud to represent, and there is no place for any form of racism or discrimination in person or on social media.”

Meanwhile, Coventry also confirmed that Dabo is one of seven first-teamers who will leave this summer when their contracts expire.

Julien Dacosta, Todd Kane, Sean Maguire, Michael Rose, Martyn Waghorn and Tyler Walker are also leaving.

Loanees Jonathan Panzo, Callum Doyle, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Luke McNally are also going.

But captain Liam Kelly has been offered a new one-year contract to prevent his departure on a free transfer.