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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Aidan McCartney

Liverpool fans display anti-racism banner at Genk during Champions League tie

Liverpool fans have unveiled an anti-racism banner during their Champions League tie in Genk on Wednesday night.

The banner comes in the aftermath of the recent England Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria which saw racist chanting throughout the night.

The match was stopped twice as Bulgarian supporters aimed racial abuse and Nazi salutes at several England players.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold took then-Bulgaria's manager Krasimir Balakov to task after he claimed hear the vile racist chanting from the crowd.

The right-back took to Twitter to say: "Is this guy for real? The way the team stuck together last night was unreal but we can't ignore what happened. The racism has gotta stop."

Follow Liverpool's Champions League clash with Genk LIVE here

His club teammate and captain Jordan Henderson also described the chants as "disgusting" .

Reds fans have now sent a message of unity towards the England players and the racism suffered with the words 'WE ARE NOT RACIST LFC' behind a Bulgarian flag.

The club have. however, reacted angrily to a 'highly offensive' banner that was briefly hung from the second tier in the away end at the Luminus Arena.

That banner was removed with the club condemning its message through a statement: "Liverpool Football Club condemns the offensive banner displayed in our section of the ground, prior to kick off.

"To be clear, the image used perpetuated a racist stereotype.

"This is completely unacceptable.

"We acted swiftly to have the banner removed and we are now working with the local authorities and stadium team in Genk to identify those responsible.

"Any subsequent action will be taken in keeping with our sanctions process."

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