Ibrahima Konate: Liverpool is disgusted by the racist abuse towards the French defender

Liverpool They expressed their “dismay and disgust” at the racist abuse directed at defender Ibrahima Konate on social media.

The France international was involved in a clash with Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen during the first half of Liverpool’s 4-0 Champions League win at Anfield on Wednesday.

Osimhen was substituted at the end of the first half and the Turkish side later revealed that he had fractured his forearm.

This led to Konate receiving racist abuse online, which Liverpool said was “completely unacceptable”.

“It is inhumane, cowardly and rooted in hatred,” the club said on Friday.

“Racism has no place in football, it has no place in society and it has 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 disgrace to the game and to the platforms that allow it to continue.”

The club said it offers Konate its “full support” and is working with the relevant authorities to identify those responsible.

Last month, police confirmed they were investigating after four Premier League players were subjected to racist abuse online in one weekend.

It seemed that Osimhen fell strangely after a challenge with Konate in the eighth minute, but he continued playing until he was replaced by Leroy Sane at the end of the first half.

Turkish Galatasaray coach Okan Boruc complained about the decisions made by referee Pawel Raczkowski after the Nigerian striker was injured.

“Looking at Osimhen’s position, we saw that Konate was able to make these mistakes very easily, and he could easily apply any type of foul,” Boruc said.

“While we were expecting the best referee in the world, perhaps one of the worst referees officiated the match.”

Liverpool won the round of 16 match with a score of 4-1 on aggregate and will face defending champion Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals next month.

The club called on social media companies to “take responsibility and act now” to prevent racist abuse directed at players online.

“These platforms have the power, technology and resources to prevent this abuse, but too often fail to do so,” Liverpool said.

“Allowing racial hatred to spread unchecked is a choice – one that continues to hurt players, families and communities across the game.

“The current situation cannot be allowed to continue. It must be confronted, challenged and eliminated – not tomorrow, but now.”