THE Welsh football federation (FAW) will undertake a thorough investigation into claims that Welsh coach Bobby Gould has been racist.

Nathan Blake of first division Bolton revealed yesterday that he pulled out of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Belgium because of racist remarks he believed Gould made.

Blake was upset by Gould's description of Dutch striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk during a post-match dressing-room discussion in the wake of Wales' 3-1 home defeat against Holland in October.

"I could not believe what I heard," said Blake, who pulled out of the return match against Holland in Eindhoven in November. Gould had a clear-the-air meeting with Blake last week