Town have released a statement regarding striker Michael Chopra’s race-fixing charges. The Blues frontman was one of nine people charged by the British Horse Racing Authority this morning.

The statement reads: “This morning Ipswich Town Football Club was made aware that the British Horseracing Authority had charged Michael Chopra and eight other individuals with various breaches of the Rules of Racing.

“Since that time Town’s chief executive, Simon Clegg has been working with Michael to understand the full extent of the allegations and the background which led to the charges being made.”

Clegg said: "Serious allegations of misconduct have been made against Michael by the BHA relating to events which occurred before Michael joined Ipswich Town.

"It needs to be recognised that at this time the charges made against Michael are unproven. Michael will be seeking his own legal advice on this issue, but we will support the player as we have done with his previous well-published challenges and as he goes through the inquiry process.

"We will be making no further comment on this matter at this time, as we view it as a private matter between the player and a non-football authority."

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