- Roberto Firmino to face no action after racism allegations
- Firmino involved in altercation with Everton’s Mason Holgate in January FA Cup clash
- Brazilian releases statement
- SEE MORE: West Ham receive great news ahead of Liverpool clash
Roberto Firmino has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an FA investigation into allegations of racism relating to an incident in Liverpool’s FA Cup clash with Everton in January.
The Brazilian was involved in a heated altercation with Mason Holgate after being pushed into the stands by the defender during a challenge for the ball.
Both were immediately separated by referee Bobby Madley, with Holgate later claiming that Firmino had directed a racist comment in his direction.
After a lengthy investigation, the FA have today released a statement confirming Firmino will not face any action.
It reads: “Following a detailed investigation into an allegation of discriminatory conduct against Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino by Everton’s Mason Holgate, The FA can confirm that it will not be taking any disciplinary action against Firmino.”
“Having considered all of the available evidence, we consider it is not sufficient to raise a charge against Firmino. However, we are completely satisfied that the allegation was made in absolute good faith by Holgate and that there is no suggestion of this being an intentionally false or malicious allegation.”
“We continue to take all allegations of discrimination extremely seriously and would encourage all participants who believe that they have been the subject of or witness to discriminatory abuse to report this through the appropriate channels. Holgate and Everton followed the proper process by reporting the matter to the match officials at the time and subsequently to The FA.”
Firmino was deemed to be in a relatively assured position from the off, with the referee’s close positioning during the incident suggesting he would have heard any racial slurs had they been made.
The FA proceeded to interview teammates of both players in question, as well as officials in an attempt to determine the correct outcome.
Liverpool’s no.9 has also released a statement, pledging his support for the fight against racism within football as well as again denying the claims that were made against him.
Published on Liverpoolfc.com, the statement stated: “It is critical for football that tackling racism and all forms of discrimination is taken extremely seriously. As someone who has experienced racist abuse during my life, I know how damaging and hurtful it can be.”
“Now the process is concluded, I would like to place on record, for the avoidance of any doubt, I did not say the word, or a variation of the word, that was claimed and subsequently reported in the media. I did not use any language that referenced race. I did not – and would never – reference a person’s skin colour or culture, by means of insult, during a dispute or an argument.”
“There is no place for discrimination on a football pitch, or anywhere else in life for that matter.”