Liverpool’s under-18 team has called for an “urgent and thorough” investigation after two separate incidents of alleged racial abuse during their matches in Germany.
The team walked off the pitch twice, once on Friday and again on Saturday, after a player reported being targeted with racist comments.
The first incident occurred during their opening match against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga Cup youth tournament on Friday.
The player allegedly received racist abuse, and the team immediately alerted the match official, their teammates, and coaching staff. Liverpool’s management team decided to stop the game and leave the pitch.
On Saturday, the same player was targeted again during a match against Frankfurt, which was eventually abandoned. Liverpool’s players left the field once more in protest.
In a statement, Liverpool praised the player for reporting the incident and showed appreciation for his “maturity” in responding to the situation. The club has called for an investigation into the incidents and has demanded action be taken against those responsible.
Frankfurt’s sporting director, Timmo Hardung, however, has downplayed the incident, stating that it was a “misunderstanding” and that he had spoken to the accused player from his club.
This is not the first time Liverpool’s youth team has been affected by racism. In 2019, their under-17 team walked off the pitch during a friendly match in Norway after one of their players was subjected to racist abuse.
The incidents have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for stricter punishment for those found guilty of racial abuse in football.
