Highly rated Norwich City player Abu Kamara has issued a statement expressing he is 'saddened and shocked' by Stuart Webber's recent comments. 

Webber has been accused of racially profiling five professional footballers, including Kamara, as well as current Canaries star Jon Rowe and ex-City players Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis. 

In a wide-ranging interview with this newspaper, the former Norwich chief was looking ahead to his climb of Mount Everest in aid of the Summit Foundation, set up with his wife Zoe, who remains executive director at Carrow Road. 

Webber was discussing the opportunities his charity was hoping to offer to young people of an unprivileged background, and listed the five players as an example who might have 'ended up in jail or something else'. 

He said: "Jonny Rowe wouldn't mind me saying it but him, Abu Kamara, Max, Jamal, Raheem [Sterling] back in the day at Liverpool - where they come from it had to work out for them in football, because the alternative is potentially jail or something else."

Those comments have been widely condemned - including by leading anti-discrimination group Kick It Out earlier on Sunday, who described Webber's words as 'deeply offensive and concerning'. 

Webber has reached out to the players and their families involved and is said to be "gutted" by the offence caused by the clumsy wording of his comment.

Kamara, currently on loan at League One side Portsmouth, has now responded through an official statement released on Sunday evening. 

“My family and I are deeply saddened and shocked by the comments made by Stuart Webber in a recent press article," the City youngster said to the Daily Mirror on Sunday night. 

“I want to say to all the black and ethnic minority children that you don’t have to be a professional athlete to avoid living a life of crime and it is important that younger audiences are not left with this false narrative.

“I am proud of where I come from and acknowledge the sacrifices my family have made in order for me to have a career in football.

“However, these remarks are a sign that there is still a long way to go to be treated equally. You can be whatever you want to be as long as you work hard, believe in yourself, and be consistent in what you do."

Norwich City Football Club have been approached for comment. 

The Pink Un: The official statement of Norwich City forward Abu Kamara. The official statement of Norwich City forward Abu Kamara. (Image: Abu Kamara)