Liverpool fan arrested for alleged racial abuse

Updated January 08, 2012 12:24:21

Merseyside police have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with alleged racist abuse towards Oldham Athletic's Tom Adeyemi during Liverpool's 5-1 FA Cup third-round victory at Anfield.

Police said the man from Aintree, Merseyside, was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.

He is in custody and being interviewed by detectives.

The match at Anfield was stopped briefly while 20-year-old midfielder Adeyemi, on loan at the League One club from Premier League Norwich City, alerted the referee.

Liverpool issued a statement on its website saying:

"Liverpool Football Club continue to work closely with Merseyside Police to establish all the facts surrounding the incident that occurred during last night's game.

"We take this matter extremely seriously and have today provided the police with the evidence we currently have available to us.

"This includes CCTV coverage and still photography of what we believe to be the relevant part of the stadium, statements from matchday stewards in that area and full access to all the footage captured by the cameras filming the match for our in-house tv operation.

"In addition, we have examined records of the tickets purchased in that part of the ground to see if they provide any additional information and have passed that on to the police."

The incident occurred after Liverpool forward Luis Suarez was handed an eight-game ban by the FA for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in October.

Reuters

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, united-kingdom, england

First posted January 08, 2012 12:24:21

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Buckley defends Neill over alleged mutiny

Updated June 23, 2011 19:56:00

Football Federation Australia chief Ben Buckley has denied Socceroos captain Lucas Neill led a revolt against the tactics of former coach Pim Verbeek during last year's World Cup in South Africa.

Respected football commentator Les Murray claimed a dressing room revolt against Verbeek preceded Australia's 4-0 loss to Germany.

Murray says in his book The World Game players took exception with Verbeek's gameplan prior to the match in Durban, claiming captain Neill asked him to leave the room before telling players the Dutchman's tactics were "bullshit."

The loss proved the downfall of Australia's campaign, as they went on to draw with Ghana and defeat Serbia but narrowly miss out on reaching the knockout stages.

However, Buckley endorsed Neill as one of the finest Socceroos captains of all time.

"Lucas Neill has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the past five years," said Buckley in a statement.

"He stands tall as an Australian sporting leader of the highest quality."

Buckley dismissed the claims made by Murray.

"No one involved with the Socceroos in South Africa can recall any incident with the slightest resemblance to what has been described in today's press," he said.

-AAP

Tags: sport, football, socceroos, australia

First posted June 23, 2011 19:43:00

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