Joint Liverpool FC and Everton FC statement

Such abuse is reprehensible and will not, and should not, be tolerated.

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 stadiums or in our communities.