FORMER Blackburn Rovers striker Dwight Yorke has broken his silence over the racial abuse he suffered at Ewood Park nine days ago.

Yorke was subjected to monkey taunts by Rovers supporter Jason Perryman during the 3-3 draw between Blackburn and Birmingham City.

The incident sparked a national outcry in the media, particularly as it came just days after England's black players had suffered similar abuse during a friendly international with Spain in Madrid.

Yorke has since admitted he was shocked and stunned by the taunts but the former Manchester United star is keeping the incident in perspective.

The 33-year-old said: "I have never experienced that kind of stuff in my life, so to experience it last week was a little disappointing.

"It was not very nice, but it is nothing really compared to other things.

"A lot has been made about the last week and it was a shock because I have been playing in British football for about 16 years but I've enjoyed every minute of my time in England and hopefully I've got another couple of years left."

Rovers fan Perryman (22), of Chorley, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated disorderly behaviour and he was fined £1,000 with £75 costs and given a maximum five-year football banning order by Blackburn Magistrates last week.

A second man has pleaded not guilty to the same offence and was bailed to appear at the court on December 22.

Yorke has complimented Birmingham for the way they have supported him over the last week, even though the club's co-owner, David Sullivan, described the incident of racist abuse as 'not the crime of the century'.

Yorke said: "Everyone around the club has been supportive."

In the meantime, Yorke returned to action as a second half substitute in Birmingham's 1-1 draw with Norwich on Saturday and the former Trinidad and Tobago international said he was relieved to be concentrating on football matters once again.

"It was important to get back out there and play football," added Yorke.

"It is really good to be playing football again, which I enjoy, after the last week.

"It's just disappointing we can't seem to turn the draws into wins as a team."