Merseyside Police have opened an inquiry after Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure faced racial abuse on social media during the Merseyside derby against Liverpool.

Everton and Liverpool issued a joint statement denouncing the abuse that emerged on Instagram following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw in the penultimate Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Doucoure and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones were sent off for scuffling after the Reds midfielder took issue with his opponent’s celebrations in front of visiting supporters following James Tarkowksi’s 98th-minute equalizer.

Sky and Kick It Out expand relationship to combat bigotry.

The racist remarks surfaced in the comments area of Doucoure’s post on the social networking site that celebrated the outcome.

“Such abuse is reprehensible and will not, and should not, be tolerated,” the Everton and Liverpool statement said.

“The two clubs will collaborate with Merseyside Police, who are launching an investigation aimed at identifying those involved.

“We must everybody, including the social media corporations, adopt a zero-tolerance policy. Platforms must take responsibility and action to prohibit such abusers.

“Racism and hate has no place online, in our stadia or in our communities.”

Instagram’s parent company, Meta, confirmed to Sky Sports News that they are working with Everton to address the racist remarks made on the platform.

As of Thursday afternoon, the racial vitriol remained in the comments area of Doucoure’s Instagram post.

Merseyside Police have appealing for any information that might help them identify those responsible.

“We are investigating this and take these reports of hate crime extremely seriously,” said chief superintendent Claire Doyle.

“If you have any knowledge on this, please let us know since it might aid our current investigations.

“We successfully prosecuted so-called fans for racial insults, and they received football bans and a criminal record for their actions.

“Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime in any form and is working to identify and bring to justice anyone found responsible for committing it.”

Sky Sports and Kick It Out, football’s top anti-discrimination organization, renewed their agreement earlier this week, demonstrating their commitment to promoting inclusiveness and combating bigotry in the sport.

Now in its sixth year, the alliance involves a £1 million commitment in money and other support to combat prejudice and provide job possibilities in sports.

In 2024, Sky Sports supported the ‘Kick Sexism Out’ initiative, which attempted to combat sexism in football. Pundits such as Kelly Cates, Jobi McAnuff, and Sue Smith discussed how abuse might be confronted and reported.

The alliance has continues its scholarship program with the University of Liverpool Management School, which allows individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue an MBA in Football Industries.

Recent graduates have gone on to establish jobs in the football sector, such as Christina Taylor, who recently won £150,000 to expand her firm focused on boosting representation in media and sports.

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