Liverpool have called on social media companies to take action after Ibrahima Konate was targeted with racist abuse following the midweek win over Galatasaray in the Champions League.
The Frenchman received a torrent of abuse across various online platforms, the severity of which compelled his club to issue a statement condemning the attacks.
Liverpool beat the Turkish side 4-0 on the night and Konate played a leading role in the heart of defence. His challenge with Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, which resulted in the forward landing awkwardly and sustaining an arm injury, appears to have triggered the online abuse that Liverpool swiftly moved to address.
“Liverpool FC is appalled and disgusted by the vile and abhorrent racist abuse directed at Ibrahima Konate on social media,” the club said on Friday.
“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.”
As well as throwing their support behind Konate, Liverpool want to see changes so players are not subjected to such abuse in the future.
The statement continued: “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.”
Liverpool say they will continue to support Konate but insist that “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.”
Galatasaray and Meta have been approached for comment.