Den Bosch vows to punish fans who abused Altidore

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Dutch club FC Den Bosch is vowing to do all it can to identify and punish a group of fans who hurled racist abuse at AZ Alkmaar and United States striker Jozy Altidore during a cup quarterfinal.

Den Bosch said Wednesday that fans responsible for the monkey chants in the KNVB Cup tie "do not belong in the De Vliert (stadium) and will face the toughest possible sanctions.''

The racist chants gave a hollow ring to the slogan "Without respect, no football'' that was coined by Dutch soccer authorities in the aftermath of the death of a linesman who was attacked by players after a match between two youth teams near Amsterdam in December.

Altidore, who is black, was not available to comment Wednesday.