WHITSTABLE Town and Herne Bay are heading for a showdown over claims that Town's Mo Kadi was racially abused during the New Year's Day derby at The Belmont. Striker Kadi won the game for Whitstable with a well-taken 84th minute effort, but seconds later he was sent off for allegedly biting Bay midfielder Clive Stace on the neck.

Stace was also dismissed for retaliation while Bay teammate Danny Maxted went in the same incident after being shown a second yellow card by Kennington referee Paul Kelly.

Bay have since reported the biting incident to both the Kent County FA and Bass Brewers Kent League, but Whitstable have now countered, suggesting Kadi was subjected to racial abuse by individuals associated with their opponents.

Similar claims were made by Town after the teams met in the Kent League Cup at Winch's Field in November. On that occasion Kadi tried to confront the Bay bench after being substituted and was dragged away by team-mates and officials.

A statement released by Town this week said: "Whitstable Town is very concerned over the abuse and racial remarks directed at Mo Kadi by Herne Bay personnel and letters have been sent to Herne Bay FC, the Kent League and KCFA for possible action at a later date."

Town chairman Joe Brownett says his club want an apology from Herne Bay over the incident and that if they do not get one they will pursue the matter. Mr Brownett added: "There is no place in football for people who shout nasty things about a player's race or colour and we two clubs should stand together to do something about it.

"I got hold of one of my own people for swearing on New Year's Day. He did not like it but we as a club won't tolerate that sort of thing and if we found anyone at Whitstable guilty of shouting racist comments we would not hesitate to kick them out. We don't make these allegations lightly and we would not be saying these things if we did not have the evidence to back it up." Mr Brownett argued that the biting incident was a separate matter, adding that Town would stand by Kadi until that issue had been investigated.

Bay chairman John Bathurst says his club are determined to pursue Kadi over the alleged bite and they believe they have a strong case. He says photographs have been sent to the league and KCFA, accompanied by a doctor's report which he says supports Stace's claim that he was bitten.

Mr Bathurst vehemently denies that anyone from Bay was guilty of racism although he has revealed that the club have disciplined Andy Thompson for his part in the unsavoury events of New Year's Day. The midfielder, who was not playing in the fixture, attempted to confront Kadi as he left the pitch after his dismissal, and had to be restrained.

Mr Bathurst explained: "We are not allowing Andy to play for us at the moment. He did something which let Herne Bay down and he has got to apologise, not just to us but to Whitstable."

Of the racism allegations he added: "All players get abuse from the crowd. It's part and parcel of the game but I have not heard any sign of racial abuse from Herne Bay players or officials towards Mo Kadi. In fact, I have yet to hear any racial abuse directed at players either playing for or against Herne Bay."

Kadi has so far refused to speak to the press over the biting incident but is expected to release a statement at the weekend. Stace is unlikely to comment until the matter has been resolved.

A spokesman for the Kent County FA confirmed that he had received referee Paul Kelly's report and that the matter was being dealt with.