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Brazilian striker Patric responds to racist tweet in Japan

TOKYO (AP) - The Japanese league is investigating a racist tweet posted by a fan claiming to be a supporter of the Urawa Reds targeting Gamba Osaka's Brazilian striker Patric.

After Urawa was eliminated from the J-League championship on Saturday following a 3-1 loss to Gamba, a fan tweeted "blacks must die" to the account of Patric, who scored a goal in the match.

The 28-year-old responded to the tweet, stating that "I never expected I would be targeted by such an insulting act in this country."

The J-League said it will investigate in cooperation with the two clubs.

Urawa was required to play a home game without spectators in March last year after a banner reading "Japanese Only" was displayed by supporters at the club's home stadium in Saitama, north of Tokyo.

The club was also fined in 2010 after fans taunted foreign players on Vegalta Sendai.

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This story has been corrected to show the Urawa-Gamba game was Saturday, not Sunday.

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