AN ANTI-RACISM group has backed Sunderland Football Club following claims that one player was not being picked for action because he was black.

In an interview given in his homeland, Honduran striker Milton Nunez seemed to suggest his lack of first-team opportunities could be down to his skin colour.

Sunderland manager Peter Reid was said to be stunned by the comments and called in Nunez, 28, to explain himself.

The £1.6m signing gave an interview which appeared in a Honduran newspaper, and later on the Internet, about his frustration since joining the club last season.

In the article, Nunez is reported as saying: "It seems unusual to me that several coloured players have come to train with the club, but none of these have been chosen. If I found out he (Peter Reid) does not consider me due to the colour of my skin I would want to leave."

When asked if he thought Reid was a racist he said: "I would say not. I don't want to think that."

Last night Nunez insisted he did not believe race had anything to do with his absence from the first-team and did not suggest this to the reporter.

Ged Grebby, of Show Racism the Red Card, of which Peter Reid and Sunderland striker Niall Quinn are honorary patrons, said he was pleased with the backing received from the club for the campaign.

A club spokeswoman said: "Milton was upset by the article and has been quick to assure us that these are not his views.

"The issue of racism was raised by the interviewer. Milton says he dismissed this suggestion immediately and certainly does not believe this is the case and is unhappy that he has been linked to these statements."