Lee Croft relieved to be cleared of racism

Oldham Athletic midfielder Lee Croft has expressed his relief at being cleared of allegations of racially abusing a ball boy.

Croft, who is on loan at Boundary Park from Derby County, was reported to the police following the Latics' 1-1 draw at Sheffield United earlier this month.

It was alleged that Croft used racist language after the ball boy kicked the ball away, denying the 27-year-old the opportunity to take a quick throw-in with his side 1-0 down.

South Yorkshire Police have since confirmed that they found "no substance" to the allegations.

Croft, who categorically denied the allegations, told Sky Sports News: "I could not think of anything worse to be accused of.

"Obviously your friends and family are reading those types of allegations and it is never nice."

Explaining the altercation with the ball boy, he added: "The ball has gone out of play, I have asked for it back, the ball boy held onto it, I ran over to get it and he kicked it past me.

"Obviously, as a player you want to do everything to get back into the game and I was frustrated. I said something that upset him.

"I openly admitted I swore at him and I apologised for that after the game, but what followed was unbelievable."

Croft's loan deal at Oldham is due to expire at the end of the season.