IF Hornchurch make an apology to Newport County fans for their supporters dishing out anti-Welsh abuse, the Exiles are willing to let the matter go.

A board meeting last night clarified the chain of events that led to the Football Association writing to the Urchins requesting an explanation regarding abusive lewd taunts that involved sheep.

"The letter from the FA came from the referee's report on the match," County supporter-director and club spokesman Colin Everitt explained.

"Our secretary Mike Everett wrote his report for the referee which mentioned that some of our supporters had complained about certain things that were being said by some of the Hornchurch fans.

"The referee has to mention these type of incidents in his report and the FA have felt they needed to write to Hornchurch to get an explanation."

He added: "The ball is in Hornchurch's court and we will have to wait and see what they say.

"I expect that if they make an apology for any offence caused the whole matter will blow over."

Although the issue regarding anti-Welsh taunts is nothing new and generally accepted as football banter, Everett said that as soon as some supporters take offense, it becomes a different issue.

He said: "When fans take offense to things being said at a football match and they make a complaint, we have to take it seriously.

"Most time I think people see it as banter and part of the game but their can be a fine line between banter and abuse and some of these things maybe can be interpreted as racist.

"It is often not just what is being said but the way it is being said and some of our supporters felt that the situation at Hornchurch was turning nasty.

"We have not spoke to Hornchurch since the game and do not intend to, we will just wait and see what the FA response is and deal with it then."