Liverpool and Everton have been handed a UEFA accolade for their united stand against the racial abuse Everton’s midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure endured following February’s tumultuous 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Amid high tensions, Doucoure received a red card after the final whistle, which also saw Curtis Jones from Liverpool being sent off, alongside Reds head coach Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff. Both clubs later faced fines from the Football Association, as well as Slot and Hulshoff being given touchline bans.
Despite the fervent atmosphere on the pitch that evening, the events took a sobering turn as both Everton and Liverpool learned of the abominable messages aimed at Doucoure, thereby issuing a collective statement. “Such abuse is reprehensible and will not, and should not, be tolerated,” it read.
“Together, the two clubs will work with Merseyside Police, who are conducting an investigation with the aim of identifying the individuals responsible. We also encourage people who witness or experience online abuse to report and highlight it to the social media platforms on which it appears.
“We must all, including the social media companies, take a zero-tolerance stance. Platforms need to take accountability and action to ban such abusers. Racism and hate has no place online, in our stadia or in our communities.”
The public condemnation of racism by Everton and Liverpool has been formally recognised at the 2025 UEFA Respect Forum in Switzerland this week. On Thursday, both clubs were jointly awarded the 2025 UEFA FootbALL Award for their stance taken in February.
(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
The UEFA’s Human Rights Steering Group, which includes ex-Everton midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, Arsenal and France legend Patrick Vieira, and AC Milan hero Alessandro Costacurta, praised the initiative shown by the clubs.
They highlighted how the steps taken to identify the culprits underscored “their commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on racism”.
Rishi Jain, director of impact at Liverpool, stated: “We are proud to have worked alongside Everton Football Club in condemning the racist abuse directed at Abdoulaye Doucoure.
“This award highlights our dedication to championing diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and using our platform to drive meaningful and lasting change.
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“Liverpool Football Club upholds a zero-tolerance stance on all forms of discrimination and remains committed to taking decisive action wherever necessary.”
Everton’s head of equity and inclusion, Ben Osu, added: “As a football club, we have long stood up for what is right, with the aim of creating an environment and a sport where everyone is respected, celebrated and empowered.
“By working with our colleagues at Liverpool FC, and by standing up against the abuse aimed at Abdoulaye Doucoure, we sent out a strong message — that racism and hate in all its forms will not be tolerated and has no place online, in our stadiums or in our communities.”
