BULGARIAN striker Hristo Stoichkov was last night accused of making racist comments towards France's players during their Group B encounter at St James' Park.

French defender Marcel Desailly, who tussled with Stoichkov throughout the match and received a fourth minute booking for bringing him down, claimed the Parma forward verbally abused him and other players of African origin during France's 3-1 victory.

Ghana born Desailly claimed: "In the first 20 minutes he made comments about me and other African players. I do not think he is such a good player any more. I did not get anything out of my battle with him. I did not appreciate the racist comments which are not suitable for a player like him."

Desailly, who plays for AC Milan, continued: "He abused me and by saying those things he has gone down so much in my estimation."

But Stoichkov insisted: "It is normal for that to happen all over the pitch. If you took a microphone round every player, they would all be saying things like that."

The controversy is the second flare up involving Stoichkov since the beginning of the Championship. Spanish coach Javier Clemente accused Stoichkov of trying to "con" the referee during their 1-1 draw at Elland Road nine days ago.