Liverpool and Everton have issued a joint statement to condemn racist abuse directed at Abdoulaye Doucouré after Wednesday’s Merseyside derby, and are working with Merseyside police to identify those responsible.
Doucouré’s Instagram page was targeted with racist abuse after the dramatic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park. The Everton midfielder was sent off after the final whistle having received a second yellow card for celebrating in front of the Liverpool fans. Bottles were thrown from the away section as players from both sides became embroiled in a melee and several charges could follow from the Football Association.
“Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs are aware of – and condemn in the strongest possible terms – racist abuse received by Abdoulaye Doucouré following Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby,” the statement said. “Such abuse is reprehensible and will not, and should not, be tolerated.
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“Together, the two clubs will work with Merseyside police, who are conducting an investigation with the aim of identifying the individuals responsible. We also encourage people who witness or experience online abuse to report and highlight it to the social media platforms on which it appears. We must all, including the social media companies, take a zero-tolerance stance. Platforms need to take accountability and action to ban such abusers. Racism and hate has no place online, in our stadia or in our communities.”
