Porto coach Vitor Pereira claims Manchester City's complaint about alleged racial abuse of their players is based on a misunderstanding.
Pereira and Hulk defend club over racism claims
Porto coach Vitor Pereira claims Manchester City's complaint about alleged racial abuse of their players is based on a misunderstanding.
UEFA announced earlier on Tuesday they had launched disciplinary proceedings into the complaints from City that monkey noises appeared to be directed towards Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure during last week's meeting between the two sides.
Pereira said he was not aware of any racist abuse during the game and any apparent taunts from home fans may have been chants of, "Hulk, Hulk, Hulk" towards their star player.
"I did not hear any racist comment. So I cannot comment on what I did not hear, I have no idea," said Pereira.
Motivating
"I hear very often, and Hulk is here so he can comment on that, our supporters many times say, 'Hulk, Hulk, Hulk', but they are referring to our forward of great quality, as a way of motivating him.
"I was focused only on the match, to see what was happening inside the four lines, and I did not notice any comment that could force the club to make any apologies."
Pereira was speaking at a press conference as Porto trained at the Etihad Stadium ahead of the second leg of the tie on Wednesday.
He was accompanied by Brazilian forward Hulk who, when asked about the issue, said: "I did not notice, I was focused on the match.
"I always hear in the Estadio do Dragao, every time I go for a corner kick, 'Hulk, Hulk, Hulk,.
"I don't think there is any racist comment."
