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Liverpool has released a furious statement after defender Ibrahima Konate was subject to “dehumanising” and “cowardly” racist abuse on social media after Wednesday’s Champions League win over Galatasaray.
Konate, 26, played in the Reds’ 4-0 win over the Turkish giants at Anfield, helping book Liverpool’s spot in the quarterfinals against defending champions, Paris Saint-Germain. The France international has since been subject to vile racist abuse on social media, forcing Liverpool to release a furious statement, slamming online trolls.
“Liverpool FC is appalled and disgusted by the vile and abhorrent racist abuse directed at Ibrahima Konate on social media,” the statement started. “This behaviour is utterly unacceptable. It is dehumanising, cowardly and rooted in hate.
“Racism has no place in football, no place in society and no place anywhere – online or offline. Our players are not targets. They are human beings.
"The abuse that continues to be directed at players, often hidden behind anonymous accounts, is a stain on the game and on the platforms that allow it to persist.
“All of football must stand together and say, clearly and without compromise, that this will not be tolerated. Words of condemnation alone are not sufficient.
“Social media companies must take responsibility and act now. These platforms have the power, the technology and the resources to prevent this abuse, yet too often they fail to do so.
“Allowing racist hatred to spread unchecked is a choice – and it is one that continues to harm players, families and communities across the game.
“We will continue to offer Ibrahima our full support and will work with the relevant authorities to identify those responsible wherever possible. But the burden cannot keep falling on players and clubs to respond after the damage has already been done.
“The current situation cannot be allowed to continue. It must be confronted, challenged and eradicated – not tomorrow, but now.”
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