Liverpool U18s walk off twice. Liverpool has asked for an “urgent and thorough” investigation after their U18 team walked off the field twice during a tournament in Germany due to allegations of racism. The team left the pitch after a player claimed he was racially abused during their first match against Hoffenheim on Friday.
On Saturday, the same player said he was targeted again during a game against Frankfurt, leading to the match being stopped.
“Liverpool FC can confirm that a player from our U18 team reported being racially abused by an opponent at the Bundesliga Cup tournament in Schwabisch Hall, Germany, on Friday,” the club said in a statement.
“The player informed the referee, his teammates, and our coaches. As a result, our management decided to stop the game and leave the field.”
“During another game in the tournament, the same player reported being abused again. Once more, the player informed his teammates and coaches, leading to the decision to leave the field.”
Liverpool praised the player for reporting the incidents and noted his “maturity” in handling the situation. Frankfurt’s sporting director, Timmo Hardung, said the accused player claimed it was a “misunderstanding.”
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Frankfurt’s sporting director, Timmo Hardung, said the accused player claimed it was a “misunderstanding.” “We do not believe this was racism. It seems to be a language issue,” Hardung told German newspaper Bild. “We hope this clears up any misunderstandings with the Liverpool players and staff.”
Hardung assured that racism “has no place here” and that they take such accusations seriously