Liverpool and Everton have condemned the racist abuse received by midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoura in the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday after he was involved in a body fight in time when the game ended in a 2-2 draw in Goodison Park.
Everton's captain James Tarkowski matched in the seventh minute of additional time to cause wild celebrations before the Liverpool Curtis Jones substitute stirred in Doucoura celebrating in front of visiting fans.
Doucoura and Jones were shown by the referee Michael Oliver, who also wielded one in the Liverpool Arne Slot manager after the final whistle.
“Such abuse is representable and should not be tolerated, and should not be tolerated,” said the two premiere clubs in a joint statement.
“Together, the two clubs will work with the Merseyside police, who are carrying out an investigation with the aim of identifying the responsible people.”
Doucoura had published an image of himself celebrating and paying tribute to the faithful of Goodison Park after what was the last meseyside derby in the iconic stadium before Everton moves to a new sand in Bramley-Moore Dock.
However, there were several comments of a racist nature in the publication.
“We also encourage people who are witnesses or experience online abuse to inform and highlight it to social media platforms in which it appears,” the clubs added.
“We must all, including social media companies, adopt a zero tolerance position. Platforms must take responsibility and measures to prohibit such abusers.”
Reuters has contacted Meta, which has Instagram, for comments.
