Newcastle United midfielder Lee Bowyer has refused to move to fellow English Premier League club Birmingham City as he fears for his personal safety from the huge Asian population there.

"He was genuinely worried that one night there would be 10 Asians waiting outside his house ready to kick seven bells out of him," the Birmingham Evening Mail quoted Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan as saying.

The footballer, who has been in discipline-related trouble throughout his career, was acquitted of attacking an Asian student in Leeds four years ago.

Sullivan revealed that Bowyer's initial response to the transfer offer was "what about the big Asian population in Birmingham?" Birmingham has the largest Asian population in Britain, which comprises approximately 28 percent of the city's total strength.

After more than a week of negotiations, Birmingham City's manager Steve Bruce failed to get Bowyer to see beyond his concerns for his safety despite fans getting behind the club and showing the former-England player that he was welcome.