Liverpool FC’s reputation took another dive recently, when a young footballer accused supporters in the famous KOP stand of racially abusing him as he played in a FA Cup match at Anfield.
Twenty-year-old Tom Adeyemi, who was born in the UK but whose parents are originally from Nigeria, was playing for Oldham Athletic in the match, which his team went on to lose 5-1, when he appeared to react angrily to something said in the crowd in the dying minutes of the game.
Adeyemi, who was visibly upset by the incident, was calmed on the pitch by his own captain as well as Liverpool players, including Steven Gerrard. Merseyside Police are now investigating the incident and a man has been arrested and charged.
This is the second time in recent weeks that the successful club has been involved in a racism scandal, following the banning of player Luis Suarez for eight matches after he was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. Witnesses to the incident involving Adeyemi claim that some Liverpool fans started to chant Suarez’s name after the young Oldham player became upset.
Adeyemi, who is on loan to Oldham from his home-town club of Norwich City, declined a place at prestigious Cambridge University to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional footballer. The youngster, whose family runs a successful business in Norwich, secured three A grades in his A Levels two years ago.