Liverpool and Everton release joint statement condemning racist abuse aimed at Abdoulaye Doucoure after chaotic Merseyside derby ending
Liverpool and Everton have released a joint statement condemning racist abuse aimed at Abdoulaye Doucoure after the Merseyside derby.
The Reds looked as though they were heading nine points clear at the top of the Premier League after Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah had cancelled out Beto’s opener.
But James Tarkowski’s volley late on triggered chaotic scenes with fans running on the pitch before the final whistle, and ensuring the game ended 2-2.
At full time, things escalated even further when Toffees midfielder Doucoure made his way over to the away end to taunt the visiting fans, before Curtis Jones cut him off and a melee ensued.
Four red cards were shown in total after the final whistle, with Liverpool boss Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff both given their marching orders, as well as Doucoure and Jones.
Since, Doucoure has been the subject of racist abuse on social media, with both Liverpool and Everton strongly condemning it in a joint statement.
The statement read: ‘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.’
The official Premier League X account, meanwhile, added: ‘The Premier League is appalled by the abuse received by Abdoulaye Doucoure.
‘Discrimination of any kind has no place in our game or anywhere in society. If you see or hear abuse, report it.’
Jones had approached Doucoure at full time after the Toffees midfielder approached the away end to celebrate.
A pushing and pulling match followed, with Carlos Alcaraz and Ashley Young first on the scene to try and break up the fight.
Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez were first over in red shirts before several other players made their ways over. Security and police then appeared to get involved too, as referee Michael Oliver watched on before brandishing four red cards.
It has also been revealed what Slot said to Oliver before he was given his marching orders.
As he walked up to the official, the Dutchman said: ‘Great game’.
They proceeded to shake hands, with Slot seemingly pulling Oliver in his direction before the official quickly brandished a red card from his pocket.
It’s been revealed that a bemused Slot then responded: ‘Sure, you give me a red for that? I will check it out for later. Me and you ya?’
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also remonstrated with the official and – seemingly confirming that the red card was related to a ‘pull’ in the handshake – said: ‘Hey, Michael, that was not a pull. Michael, it isn’t personal’.
The Premier League have now deleted a statement suggesting Slot will be handed a two-match touchline ban, referencing his alleged ‘offensive, insulting, or abusive language’.
Yet Mail Sport understands that the red for Slot was not solely shown because of the handshake, but also as a result of comments made by the Liverpool boss on two separate occasions after the match.
Our expert lip-reader then analysed another clip from the post-match antics which showed Van Dijk attempting to defuse the situation.
The Liverpool defender told his team-mates ‘Go, hey go…go in’ before then telling Oliver again that it was ‘nothing personal’.
In that same clip, Liverpool boss Slot could be seen asking Oliver: ‘We’ll talk after?’
