Everton and Liverpool release joint-statement as Merseyside derby fallout continues
Everton and Liverpool have released a joint-statement condemning racist abuse aimed towards Abdoulaye Doucoure after the Merseyside derby.
The Toffees released the statement via their X account (13 February), having been made aware of racist language targeting Doucoure amid the fracas which broke out after their 2-2 at Goodison Park.
Michael Oliver showed both Doucoure and Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones red cards after they were at the centre of a melee between the two sets of players, sparked by Doucoure ‘shushing’ the away end.
Both clubs put their names to the statement released by Everton, and stated that they will collectively work with Merseyside Police to try and identify the perpetrators of the language aimed at Doucoure.
Everton and Liverpool jointly condemn Abdoulaye Doucoure abuse
Wednesday’s derby – the 120th and last to be played at Goodison – was one for the ages, but the nature of the Blues’ late comeback and the subsequent frenzy has been marred by these developments.
Doucoure may have been trying to goad the travelling Liverpool fans into a response, but the language thrown his way by those supporters is absolutely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in any situation.
Being shown a red card having been set upon by Jones – likely leading to at least a one-match ban – will pale in comparison to having insults of the very worst nature thrown at the Mali international midfielder.
The final derby at Goodison had already descended into chaos following James Tarkowski’s volley to equalise beyond added time, leading to Toffees fans spilling onto the pitch to join the celebrations.
At the other end, however, the attitude of some Liverpool fans towards Doucoure will rightly see both their own club and Everton come down on them hard in a bid to kick racism out of this fixture forever.
Everton snatch dramatic 2-2 draw v Liverpool
Tarkowski’s volley, wild celebrations and the all-in fracas which erupted after full-time was a perfect way to bring the curtain down on this fixture at Goodison – and that was just the final few moments of it.
The first 97 or so minutes had been just as fiercely contested in front of the Grand Old Lady, with Everton’s early lead quickly cancelled out by Liverpool before Mo Salah pounced in the second half.
David Moyes‘ side hitting back with a sucker-punch of their own – after going toe-to-toe with their rivals for the duration – will make that deserved point all the sweeter.
And while it’s a result which could set them up for the season, the Blues’ first priority will be finding the culprits behind Doucoure’s abuse.