Merseyside Police have helped Liverpool identify the culprit responsible for a banner of Divock Origi branded “offensive” and “racist”.
The force says, local police in Belgium are now investigating after the image was displayed in the away end at the Champions League group win at Genk yesterday, while UEFA awaits a report from anti-racism group FARE.
It has since emerged that the same banner – also condemned by Liverpool fan group Spirit of Shankly – was on display among hundreds of others in the Liverpool end at last season’s Champions League final in Madrid.
Whether the banner is deemed merely “offensive” or in fact “racist” will prove crucial towards any sanctions UEFA decides to impose, with penalties for the latter being considerably stronger.
Liverpool were infuriated by the image and immediately set about having it removed on the night, branding it “completely unacceptable”.
Liverpool Football Club condemns the offensive banner displayed in our section of the ground, prior to kick-off,” they said. “To be clear, the image used perpetuated a racist stereotype. This is completely unacceptable.
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