No charges in Adeyemi race row

UPSET: Adeyemi was visibly shaken by the incident at Anfield in January.

A LIVERPOOL fan arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Oldham Athletic’s Tom Adeyemi will not face charges.

The player broke down in tears during Latics’ FA Cup third-round tie at Anfield on January 6, after he alleged racial abuse was shouted from the crowd.

However the Crown Prosecution Service said a 20-year-old man from Aintree, arrested after the match, will not be charged with a criminal offence.

Adeyemi (20), whose loan deal from Norwich City came to an end on Saturday, was visibly distressed after he appeared to take offence at something shouted from the Kop during the second half of the match which Liverpool won 5-1.

The midfielder, who was hoping to do a deal extending his spell at Boundary Park today, reported his concerns to match officials, who in turn reported the incident to the police. CCTV footage was reviewed and interviews with Adeyemi and the suspect were carried out by police.

Jane Roden, head of the complex casework unit, CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “There are two important factors I have relied upon when making my decision: the enhanced CCTV footage and the high proportion of witness statements which tend to support the suspect’s version of events.

“I have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to bring any criminal charges.”

She added that the suspect admitted shouting abuse at the player, but denied it was of racial nature.

Work to enhance and isolate the sound on video footage did not prove conclusive.

In the wake of the incident, Liverpool Football Club apologised to Adeyemi while politicians also called for an inquiry into racism in football.

Reacting to the news, Latics director Barry Owen said: “As a club, we accept the difficulties for all concerned investigating a matter such as this and, without reservation, accept the decision.”