Liverpool FC ‘sorry’ for racial abuse incident

LIVERPOOL have issued an apology to Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi, who claims he was racially abused by a Reds supporter during Friday night’s FA Cup tie between the sides.

A 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Adeyemi has been released on bail, police said last night.

The man, from Aintree, was arrested by Merseyside Police, who are investigating the incident, and the Premier League club has now moved to express its regret over the matter.

A statement from the club read: “Whatever the outcome of what is now a police investigation, all of us are deeply sorry for what happened on Friday night and our players and our club pass on our sincere regrets to Tom Adeyemi for the upset and distress he suffered as a result of the matter at hand.”

Late in the FA Cup third-round fixture, the 20-year-old, on loan from Norwich, appeared to take offence at something shouted from the Kop. Despite reassurance from his team-mates and Liverpool players, right-back Adeyemi seemed close to tears following the incident.

The probe takes place as Liverpool striker Luis Suarez serves an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Meanwhile, the club have refused to comment on reports that England footballer Stewart Downing was arrested yesterday on suspicion of assault following a row in a pub, according to reports.

The Liverpool winger was held along with a 32-year-old woman — believed to be an ex-partner — after officers were called to a venue in Yarm High Street, near Middlesbrough.

Police said the two were bailed after questioning.

Downing, 27, was brought up in Middlesbrough and played for his hometown club before moving to Aston Villa. He signed for Liverpool last summer for around £18m.