CONTROVERSIAL Newcastle United star Lee Bowyer has broken his silence by declaring: 'I'm no racist.'

Since being cleared of an attack on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib in January 2000, the 26-year-old had to deal with a number of protests from football fans across the country.

When he joined West Ham United in January sections of the Upton Park crowd disapproved of his signature.

And now Bowyer, who is expected to start his first Premiership match for the Magpies at St James' Park this afternoon, has taken the step of convincing his new supporters that he is no racist.

Bowyer said: "I'm no racist. I have never been and I never will be.

"I thought it was best for me to keep quiet about what happened in the past, and there were legal implications and there was no reason for me to come and say anything.

"If people think I am a racist, well that's their opinion. But it is ludicrous, really.

"I was brought up in a mixed community in London and all of my friends and schoolboy friends were of different nationalities.

"All this has been going on for a long time and I've not been in a position to back myself up, if you like, but now I want to put the record straight.

"I have always supported Keep Racism out of Football when I was at Charlton with my pal Carl Leaburn and at Leeds with Lucas Radebe.

"It's something I have always supported - but people seem to forget that these days."

Najeib is currently pursuing a civil claim against Bowyer, who was charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm and affray more than three years ago.