Liverpool have condemned racist abuse Ibrahima Konate has suffered on social media and released a statement on the matter. The club has called on social media companies to ‘take responsibility and act now.’
A statement on the club’s website reads:
“Liverpool FC is appalled and disgusted by the vile and abhorrent racist abuse directed at Ibrahima Konate on social media. This behaviour is utterly unacceptable. It is dehumanising, cowardly and rooted in hate. Racism has no place in football, no place in society and no place anywhere – online or offline.
Our players are not targets. They are human beings. The abuse that continues to be directed at players, often hidden behind anonymous accounts, is a stain on the game and on the platforms that allow it to persist.”
Konate was in action for the Reds on Wednesday (March 18th) as Arne Slot’s side beat Turkish side Galatasaray 4-0 (4-1 on aggregate). They advanced to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League where they will face Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool statement on Konate racism
The club have urged social media companies to ensure such issues are stopped. This isn’t the first time a Liverpool player has been racially abused online, and it remains one of the biggest problems in football.
The statement added:
“Social media companies must take responsibility and act now. These platforms have the power, the technology and the resources to prevent this abuse, yet too often they fail to do so. Allowing racist hatred to spread unchecked is a choice – and it is one that continues to harm players, families and communities across the game.”
Konate’s French compatriot Dayot Upamecano was the victim of racist abuse back in 2024. He supported the Bayern Munich man at the time by replying to a post on Instagram:
“Nothing will touch our minds.”
Liverpool will support Konate but is calling for more action to be taken:
“We will continue to offer Ibrahima our full support and will work with the relevant authorities to identify those responsible wherever possible. But the burden cannot keep falling on players and clubs to respond after the damage has already been done.”
Konate has been at Anfield since the summer of 2021 and has become a fan favourite in front of the Kop. He played a crucial role in last season’s Premier League title triumph.
‘What message does that send?’
Konate previously opened up about feeling discriminated against when travelling back to Anfield from France. He gave an account of his experiences at an airport in Paris when speaking to French magazine So Foot in December 2024:
“When I return to Liverpool, I buy a business-class ticket to pass through more quickly. But when I arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport, the staff don’t even look at my ticket and send me to economy class. What message does that send? That someone like me doesn’t deserve business class,” said the defender.
Konate also recalled an incident involving Mohamed Salah:
“Once, Salah came to Paris. At the airport, people didn’t recognise him, and the shop staff spoke to him very rudely. But when one of the travelers identified him, their tone changed immediately. ‘Oh, Mr. Salah, what do you need?’ they said. For them, you have to be famous to be treated with respect.”
The French defender has been called up by Didier Deschamps’ squad for the upcoming international break. He could be in action against Brazil (March 26th) and Colombia (March 29th).
