TOKYO, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan's J-League decided not to take punitive action over the J-League racist probe in which Tokyo Verdy's Brazilian striker Leandro's claim that an opponent had called him a "chimpanzee".
The J-League's disciplinary committee launched an investigation into the accusations of racist taunts after Verdy's midweek second division game with Ventforet Kofu.
Verdy expressed disappointment on Saturday after J-League officials said they were unable to verify Leandro's claims Kofu defender Arata Sugiyama had called him a "chimpanzee".
The Brazilian was booked at the final whistle after protesting too little injury time had been played and complained Sugiyama had racially abused him in the subsequent melee.
Sugiyama, who was also alleged to have made ape-like gestures, denied making any remarks to Leandro.
"The Kofu player denied making the remark and the other players said they did not hear him say it," said J-League chief secretary Hideyuki Hanyu.
Incidents of racism towards black players are rare in the J-League, although crowd violence has become a problem at some grounds, notably Japan's best-supported club Urawa Reds.
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