Liverpool FC said Friday that defender Ibrahima Konaté was subjected to “vile and abhorrent” racist abuse online following the team’s Champions League match earlier this week.
The abuse came after Wednesday’s victory over Galatasaray, in which Konaté was involved in an incident that left striker Victor Osimhen with a fractured arm.
Liverpool condemned the messages as “dehumanising, cowardly and rooted in hate,” and called on social media companies to take stronger action against online abuse.
“Our players are not targets. They are human beings,” the club said in a statement. “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.”
The club said technology exists to prevent such abuse and accused platforms of allowing racist content to spread unchecked.
“Allowing racist hatred to spread unchecked is a choice — and it is one that continues to harm players, families and communities across the game,” the statement added.
Liverpool said it is supporting Konaté and working with authorities to identify those responsible.
The incident comes amid a broader pattern of abuse in English football. Last month, several Premier League players were targeted over the same weekend, including Wesley Fofana of Chelsea FC, Hannibal Mejbri of Burnley FC, and Tolu Arokodare of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Romaine Mundle of Sunderland AFC was also targeted, his club said.
Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out renewed calls for social media companies to address the issue.
At the last Women’s European Championship, Jess Carter said she had also been subjected to racial abuse online.
“The current situation cannot be allowed to continue,” Liverpool said. “It must be confronted, challenged and eradicated — not tomorrow, but now.”