Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is totally in support of newly-signed striker Mido, who reacted to abuse from Newcastle United fans after scoring in the 2-2 draw and got himself booked in the Tyne-Tees derby on Sunday at the Riverside Stadium.

The FA has said they will probe the episode as a section of the travelling Toon fans allegedly hurled anti-Islamic chants at the Egyptian striker, who has scored two goals in two matches for Boro after joining from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.

Southgate told Radio Five Live: "I don't know if it will ever be resolved. All players accept that when they go on the field of they will be ridiculed and people will try to goad them. But there is a line and that line was crossed at the weekend."

He added: "He (Mido) is a human being and he reacted. But I am very much in his corner and we want to draw a line under it."

Earlier, a FA spokesman said: "We will be contacting both clubs for their observations on these events and we will take it from there."