A banner of Divock Origi described by Liverpool as ‘offensive and unacceptable’ was also displayed at June’s Champions League final.
Pictures of the Liverpool support during the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid clearly show the banner.
And it is believed the explicit banner – which shows Belgian striker Origi superimposed onto a naked black man next to the European Cup – remained there for the entirety of the showpiece match in Madrid.
The Divock Origi banner condemned as ‘offensive and unacceptable’ by the club was also displayed by Liverpool fans at the Champions League final against Tottenham back in June
It is believed that the offensive banner remained in place for the whole of the final in Madrid
Liverpool fans unveil a graphic banner which mocks Divock Origi’s manhood
Origi scored Liverpool’s second goal to seal their sixth European Cup win.
The banner was confiscated by security guards and destroyed 35 minutes before kick-off in Wednesday night’s Champions League group stage fixture between Genk and Liverpool at the Luminues Arena.
Club officials were left furious given the banner’s racial implications and a leading Liverpool fan group have also condemned it.
The Spirit of Shankly group backed the club’s course of action and insisted bans alone could not be the solution.
A statement from the group read: ‘Spirit of Shankly oppose all forms of racism. The club took swift action in the removal of the offensive banner that perpetuates racial stereotyping.
‘Football isn’t separate from society, it is part of it and we all have a responsibility in ensuring people understand there is no room for racism.
‘Simply banning people is not the answer. Education and reaffirming there is no place for discrimination in society has to form part of the solution.’
UEFA did not comment on the matter on Wednesday night but it is almost certain they will take action against Liverpool; a recent example came in May 2018 when Bayern Munich were fined €25,000 for an ‘illicit banner’ that was on display in their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.
Supporters unfurl the banner in the away section ahead of kick off at the Luminus Arena
Origi (right) arrives at his former club’s stadium as he is named on the bench for the clash
Liverpool have vowed to take the strongest possible measures against the fan, or fans, who brought the banner into the Luminus Arena and they will be studying footage to identify those responsible for the mindless behaviour.
This will be the second time in the space of a month that Liverpool have found themselves the subject of disciplinary proceedings from UEFA – last month they were fined €10,000 following an incident of pitch encroachment by individual supporters when they Red Bull Salzburg 4-3.
A Liverpool spokesperson said: ‘Liverpool Football Club condemns the offensive banner displayed in our section of the ground, prior to kick off. To be clear, the image used perpetuated a racist stereotype.
‘This is completely unacceptable. We acted swiftly to have the banner removed and we are now working with the local authorities and stadium team in Genk to identify those responsible. Any subsequent action will be taken in keeping with our sanctions process.’
Origi in action during Wednesday night’s Champions League match with Genk in Belgium
Kick It Out backed Liverpool’s statement when asked for a comment on the incident.
Manager Jurgen Klopp refused to comment on the offensive banner.
When asked about the banner, Klopp, whose side strolled to victory with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring a classy double, would only say: ‘I know the club have spoken about it.’
Origi is a cult hero with Liverpool fans, having scored the goal that secured the 2-0 victory in last season’s Champions League final against Tottenham. The Belgium international, who started his career at Genk, was also on the mark twice in the epic semi-final defeat of Barcelona.
He signed a new long-term contract in the summer, having at one stage looked as if he might leave, but started last night’s game on the bench after Mohamed Salah recovered from injury.
Romelu Lukaku was the target of chants over his manhood from Manchester United fans
Haringey star Coby Rowe is restrained by security staff following an alleged racist incident
Chants referencing the size of a player’s manhood were directed at former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, who urged fans to stop singing the offensive songs in September 2017.
Wednesday’s incident comes days after an FA Cup tie between Haringey Borough and Yeovil was abandoned when players walked off the field following allegations of racist abuse.
That came just a week after England stars Raheem Sterling, Tyrone Mings and Marcus Rashford were all racially abused during England’s Euro 2020 qualifier with Bulgaria in Sofia.
Several of England’s black players were racially abused during their game with Bulgaria
A section of the Bulgaria fans were seen making the Nazi salute during the Euro 2020 qualifier
Klopp condemned racist abuse last season, by saying: ‘It’s disgusting, another example of something which absolutely should not happen.
‘It’s still only a few people doing it, but the stronger the reaction is from all of us, the more it will help to avoid things like this in the future.
‘If you do something like that, you should not be able to enter a stadium again, in my point of view, in your life.’
Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos was also racially abused during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle.
Alfredo Morelos was allegedly the target of racist abuse from Hearts fans in Sunday’s 1-1 draw
Hearts have vowed to root out the racists after opening an investigation into allegations after the Colombian striker was allegedly targeted by punters during goal celebrations following his equaliser.
Hearts issued a statement declaring: ‘The club is aware of the incident in question and is currently investigating it.
‘It goes without saying that Heart of Midlothian Football Club utterly condemns any form of racism — and any individuals found guilty of such an offence will face an indefinite ban from Tynecastle Park.’