FA will investigate as Mason Holgate accuses Roberto Firmino of making racist comments during Everton clash with Liverpool

THE FA will investigate after Mason Holgate accused Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino of making racist comments during the Merseyside derby.

Everton youngster Holgate took serious offence to something the Brazilian said during the Reds' thrilling 2-1 FA Cup derby win at Anfield.

8

A Football Association comment read: "The FA can confirm that referee Bobby Madley was made aware of an allegation during the Liverpool versus Everton game at Anfield last night and has subsequently reported this to The FA, which will now begin making enquiries into the matter."

Firmino was incensed after Holgate pushed him over the advertising board and into the crowd and charged at the Toffees defender while shouting something.

TV images appeared to show Firmino calling Holgate a "filha du puto" - Portuguese for "son of a b****."

Referee Bobby Madley had to separate the pair but did not book either player at the time.

8

8

8

After the game Holgate spoke to Madley independently, as did Everton director of football Steve Walsh.

Liverpool said they would "fully co-operate" in any investigation.

A spokesperson said: "The club and player will fully co-operate with the relevant authorities to ensure the facts are established in a thorough manner if deemed necessary or requested.

"Whilst the process is ongoing we will making any other comment."

There has so far been no official comment from Everton, with Toffees boss Sam Allardyce refusing to confirm whether Holgate, 22, had complained of being racially abused.

MOST READ IN FOOTBALL

ALL THE MOVES

Salah contract update, United eye Osimhen swap deal, Trent 'to Madrid'

VIN-DICATE

Vinicius forced down tunnel by Rudiger after red card for pushing keeper in head

MOR TO COME

Amorim confirms Man Utd WILL splash out with 'secret plan' to revive fortunes

LOFTY HEIGHTS

I'm brains of Football Manager phenomenon... from one-bed Milton Keynes flat

He said: "I'm telling you nothing until whatever systems are used to find out what exactly happened and what didn't happen.

"I'm here to talk about football, not controversial incidents. I want to talk about football because football is my life and anything else that happens outside of that has to be dealt with by the authorities."

Asked if he'd spoken to Holgate about the incident, Allardyce added: "Even if I had or hadn't I wouldn't tell anybody today in this conference because that, for me, is in the other areas of the football club.

"I've left the director of football today to sort that out."

8

8

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed fourth official Jon Moss had spoken to him about the incident.

He said: "I heard about something but I can't say anything so far.

"I haven't spoken to anybody. From now on, the club will answer. I don't really know anything about it.

8

8

"I misjudged that situation completely. I thought it was about Holgate's foul. At the end there was no foul, no yellow card, nothing. I didn't get it.

"I didn't understand the whole situation but I got information after the game that something obviously happened.

"The fourth official said something to me. I never heard the words so I thought they were going to investigate the Holgate foul. That's how I understood it.

"Then after the game... the fourth official informed me but it wasn't that I really got it (what was happening)."