A police investigation has been launched after deaf football fans complained they had lip-read LiverÂÂpool’s Steve Finnan making a racist remark towards Patrice Evra of Manchester United. The Merseyside club immediately denounced the claim as an ”outrageous slur” but Greater Manchester police have confirmed that inquiries are ongoing into allegations that the Liverpool full-back ”made an offensive comment” during last month’s 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
It is understood that two fans watching the game on television picked up the alleged remark. They contacted the police, who are understood to have taken statements and to be reviewing footage of the game.
The revelations drew an angry response from Anfield. ”There has been absolutely no contact from the Greater Manchester police. We have subsequently had a video of the match analysed by a lip-reader, who has told us there is nothing to support this outrageous slur,” a spokesperson said.
The incident allegedly happened after Finnan had given away the stoppage-time free kick on Evra that led to the decisive goal. The Senegal-born French national has not raised any complaints.
On Tuesday, Real Zaragoza were fined â,¬9 000 by the Spanish Football Federation, after fans directed racist abuse at Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o last weekend. The club has 10 days to appeal the decision. Zaragoza was fined â,¬600 last season over similar abuse directed at Eto’o.
Earlier this month, the club was fined for racially insulting Real Betis’s Brazilian forward Robert.
Zaragoza has appealed to ”all the authorities, including the police, to help us track down the people who carried out these acts”, aimed at Eto’o in last Saturday’s match, the club said on its website. ”Those identified will be firmly punished.”
The Cameroon striker tried to leave the pitch in the second half of the match before being persuaded to stay by players and his coach Frank Rijkaard. After being asked by the referee, the club put out an announcement on the PA system asking fans to refrain from making offensive remarks. But the abuse of Eto’o continued until the end of the game, which Barcelona won 2-0. — Â