Liverpool and Everton issue joint statement slamming racist abuse of Abdoulaye Doucoure after Merseyside derby
Both Liverpool and Everton have issued a joint statement condemning fans for racist abuse during the Merseyside derby.
A bad tempered game saw David Moyes' men level deep into stoppage time thanks to a James Tarkowski thunderbolt, with Toffees player Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool's Curtis Jones then seeing red for a scuffle after the final whistle in front of the travelling fans. Reds boss Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff then both also saw red, as the Premier League clash ended in chaos.
However Everton midfielder Doucoure was then the subject of vile abuse online, which both clubs have taken a firm stance against. In a joint statement the two Merseyside big guns say: "Liverpool FC and Everton FC are aware of – and condemn in the strongest possible terms – racist abuse received by Abdoulaye Doucoure following Wednesday night's Merseyside derby.
"Such abuse is reprehensible and will not, and should not, be tolerated. 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 stadiums or in our communities."
Early goals from Beto and Alexis Mac Allister had the sides level at half-time, before Mo Salah's 73rd minute strike looked certain to give Arne Slot's league leaders bragging points on their final ever visit to Goodison. However Everton weren't to be denied a fairytale ending as James Tarkowski smashed in a stunner to level in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
That saw tensions boil over at full-time as midfielder Doucore raced to celebrate in front of the Liverpool fans, with his actions enfuriating Reds' skipper Virgil van Dijk. The former Celtic man told Match of the Day: "It was a very big provocation from one certain player. I think Abdoulaye Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans, I think that is what I saw and Curtis Jones didn't think it was the right thing to do.
"We all saw it and reacted as a team as we were able to do. You know what happens nowadays, it becomes one big tussle. Then it is not me who has to deal with it, it is the referee and today I am not sure he had it fully under control."
