Liverpool youth team walk off pitch twice in two days after alleged racist abuse at tournament in Germany
Liverpool have asked the tournament organisers to conduct an investigation into the incident; Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director claims the Frankfurt player used a German term which is comparable to "dude" or "mate"
Monday 22 July 2024 16:28, UK
Liverpool's Under-18s left the pitch twice in two days after alleged racist abuse towards one of their players at a youth tournament in Germany.
After an incident during a match on Friday, reportedly against Hoffenheim, Liverpool's management team decided to stop their game and the team left the pitch together and immediately reported the incident.
Liverpool say the same player was then targeted in a further incident at the tournament on Saturday in a match against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Again, the coaching staff and management team opted to leave the pitch together after the incident was immediately reported.
Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Timmo Hardung is quoted as saying in an interview with BILD: "Our entire NLZ is like Eintracht Frankfurt, multicultural and we have clear values that we live by and constantly demand. Racism has no place here, but we still take such an accusation seriously."
Hardung claims the Frankfurt player used a German term which is comparable to "dude" or "mate".
He added: "We can rule out racism, it is a linguistic issue and we therefore hope that we have also cleared up the misunderstanding with the players concerned and those responsible at Liverpool FC."
Hoffenheim then released a statement on Monday afternoon, which said they take "this accusation very seriously, but firmly reject its content".
They added: "Differences of opinion can occur here and there, but there is definitely no racism among the TSG players.
"The accused player and surrounding team-mates have told us that the alleged statement was not made. The analysis of our video recording also revealed nothing.
"Nevertheless, we are carefully working through the incident with our team of psychologists and the child protection officer."
Liverpool have asked the tournament organisers to conduct an investigation. Sky Sports News understands the tournament does not fall under UEFA's regulations.
Sky Sports News has contacted Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt, the tournament organisers and UEFA for comment.
Liverpool's statement in full
"Liverpool can confirm that a member of our Under-18s team reported he was racially abused by an opponent while playing in the Bundesliga Cup youth tournament at Schwabisch Hall in Germany on Friday.
"The player immediately alerted the match official, his team-mates, and our coaching staff. Consequently, Liverpool's management team decided to stop the game and leave the pitch together.
"In a further incident, the same player was the target of abuse during a fixture in the tournament today. Again, the player alerted his team mates and coaching staff and our management team opted to leave the pitch once more.
"We are proud of our player for his prompt actions in reporting the incident and the maturity of his response.
"He and any of his team-mates affected are being supported by the academy safeguarding team.
"The club calls upon our opponents and the tournament organisers to conduct an urgent and thorough investigation into the incident."
