Liverpool sorry over race storm

Photo: Press Association

Tom Adeyemi reacts angrily to a comment fromt he crowd.

LIVERPOOL Football Club have apologised to Tom Adeyemi over alleged racist abuse suffered during Latics’ explosive cup clash at Anfield.

A Merseyside man arrested over the incident has been bailed pending further enquiries.

The versatile 20-year-old, who played full-back at Anfield, was reduced to tears during the second half of Friday night’s match after a hurled racial abuse at him from the Kop. A 20-year-old man from Aintree was arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence on Saturday.

The Reds have issued a statement saying the players and club pass on “sincere regrets” for the upset and distress suffered.

The club confirmed it is assisting police with the investigation, launched after the FA Cup tie, and added: “Our supporters are renowned throughout the world for their outstanding commitment, passion and fairness.

“They are drawn from nationalities across the globe with widely diverse backgrounds and heritages.”

One Liverpool fan, Michael Evans, from Huyton, even contacted the Chronicle to make a personal plea to 6,000 Latics fans who travelled to the game.

He said: “On behalf of the vast majority of Liverpool supporters, I wish to apologise for the incident at Anfield. Your team were a credit to the magic of the cup and I am personally saddened that this happened as I believe many real football fans are.

“I beg you not to let this imbecile sour your view of our team and our city.”

Athletic director Mike Newton described the alleged incident as “shocking”.

He said: “As a club, we are proud of our diversity with directors, employees and players from a wide range of religions and backgrounds.

“In our changing room there is an acceptance of everyone, which makes it particularly shocking for players and staff when something like this occurs.

“We fully support the right of professional footballers to go to work without harassment.

“As a general principle, Oldham Athletic feel it is wrong and immoral to abuse players because of race, ethnicity or religion.”

Adeyemi, on loan to Athletic from Norwich City, was consoled by players from both teams after he reacted furiously to the alleged incident.

Skipper Dean Furman had to drag his team-mate away from the scene.

Former Athletic captain Reuben Hazell, who post-match went into the dressing room to speak to the player, also took to Twitter to share his views.

He said: “I just thought what a bad way to end a good night for all involved.

“This isn’t acceptable in football or in society and it’s time for black players to take a stand like young Tom did.

“As a 20-year-old I thought he managed the situation extremely well and it was sad that the incident reduced him to tears on what should have been the happiest day of his footballing career to date.”

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association, said he had spoken to Adeyemi about the incident.

He said: “This abuse came from a spectator sitting in the Kop section of the ground. Tom has given a full witness statement to the Merseyside police regarding the incident and will continue to assist the police fully in their enquiries.”

The investigation comes as Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is currently seeing out an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.