Liverpool has condemned the racist abuse aimed at defender Ibrahima Konaté, labeling it as “dehumanising, cowardly, and rooted in hate.”
The France international was involved in a collision with Victor Osimhen, which led to the striker being substituted at half-time due to a broken arm diagnosis.
This incident resulted in Konaté being targeted on social media, a behavior that Liverpool described as “utterly unacceptable.”
“Racism has no place in football, in society, or anywhere — online or offline,” stated the club. “Our players are not targets; they are human beings. The ongoing abuse directed at athletes, often sheltering behind anonymous accounts, tarnishes our sport and the platforms that allow it.”
“The entire football community must unite and declare unequivocally that this will not be tolerated. Mere words of condemnation are insufficient.”
The club stressed that the ongoing situation is intolerable and that it is the duty of platform providers to take immediate action.
“Social media companies must take responsibility and act without delay,” the statement continued.
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“These platforms possess the power, technology, and resources necessary to prevent such abuse, yet they frequently fail to act. Allowing racist hatred to propagate unchecked is a conscious choice — one that continues to harm players, families, and communities throughout the sport.
“We will continue to fully support Ibrahima and collaborate with the relevant authorities to identify those responsible wherever possible. However, the responsibility cannot keep falling on players and clubs to respond only after harm has been done.
“This unacceptable situation cannot persist. It must be confronted, challenged, and eradicated — and it must happen now, not later.”