Liverpool issue list of ‘unacceptable’ words to staff

Liverpool have issued staff with guidelines detailing what they describe as “unacceptable” words and phrases in a bid to eradicate discrimination at Anfield.

The list, leaked on Twitter yesterday, was handed to all staff with public-facing jobs at the football club on match days and during the week.

However, Liverpool’s players have not been given the guidelines as they are provided with their own such recommendations by the Premier League.

The guidebook begins by instructing staff that “it’s important to understand the context of what’s being said”.

The list that follows includes a total of 40 insults under the headlines of race/religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability.

“Yid”, “Nigger” and “Paki”, “Poof”, “Lady-boy”, “She-man” and “Retard” are among the insults considered unacceptable.

Liverpool were widely criticised for their support of Arsenal-target Luis Suarez when the striker was found guilty in December 2011 of having used racially abusive language towards Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in a Premier League game two months earlier. The saga, and Liverpool’s handling of it, did huge damage to the club’s image but they view their education programme as one of several proactive measures taken to combat discrimination.

“As part of the club’s continued commitment to tackle all forms of discrimination, as well as promoting its approach to equality and diversity, Liverpool FC has been actively engaged in a full club-wide education and awareness programme,” Liverpool’s social inclusion officer Rishi Jain said. “This programme includes interactive workshops and a handbook which is designed to provide information on the latest equality legislation. This enables our employees to recognise inappropriate language and take the necessary steps to ensure Anfield is free from all forms of discrimination.”