Firmino in the firing line for racist Tweets
POLICE announced on Sunday that they were investigating a series of messages posted on social media following an exchange between Everton FC’s Mason Holgate and Liverpool FC’s Roberto Firmino during their FA Cup clash on Friday.
Liverpool forward Firmino is facing an English Football Association (FA) anti-racism probe after an altercation with Everton defender Holgate.
An announcement was expected from the FA headquarters after officials studied a postmatch report by referee Bobby Madley. The FA confirmed it was investigating allegations by Holgate that he was racially abused by Firmino.
“The FA can confirm referee Bobby Madley was made aware of an allegation during the Liverpool versus Everton game at Anfield and subsequently reported this to the FA, which will make enquiries into the matter,” said the FA.
The Liverpool Echo newspaper reported that having been pushed into the crowd by his opponent during a challenge, an unhappy Firmino was captured on camera shouting at Holgate in Portuguese.
Holgate, 21, deleted his Twitter account after the match. Attention focused on what might have been said by Brazilian forward Firmino following the first-half challenge.
Merseyside Police in Liverpool confirmed they were aware of racist comments posted by a number of individuals and would investigate. – Reuters