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Manchester United have identified and banned a supporter over alleged racist abuse during Sunday’s Premier League game against Liverpool.
United said on Monday that the supporter was ejected from Old Trafford and described the abuse as “completely unacceptable”.
The club have moved swiftly to issue an indefinite ban to the individual involved.
“Racism and all forms of discrimination are completely unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our club,” a statement from United read.
“Following our investigation into the alleged incidence of racist abuse on Sunday, we have issued an indefinite ban to the individual involved.
“This individual is not welcome at Old Trafford and we want to reinforce that we will continue to take strong action against anyone who we identify has engaged in racist or discriminatory abuse, either online or at our matches.”
The PA news agency also understands that three Chelsea fans have been identified and face bans for racially abusing a fellow supporter at a Europa League game in April.
Blues fan Jerome Bailey told BBC Sport: “It’s the result I wanted all along but it’s unfortunate and disappointing that it’s taken so long to get to this point.”
It is understood that, with the game in question being away to Slavia Prague and supporters not allocated a given seat, it took longer than usual to identify the perpetrators.
The incident at Old Trafford came on a weekend marred by a series of reports of racial abuse, and less than a week after England’s clash in Bulgaria was halted twice due to racist chants from the home crowd.
Fikayo Tomori, an unused substitute for the Three Lions’ 6-0 win in Sofia, paid tribute to England manager Gareth Southgate and the way his team-mates dealt with the situation.
The Chelsea defender, speaking ahead of the Champions League clash against Ajax on Wednesday, said: “Obviously it was a difficult experience but what we wanted to do was play our football and win the game and that what’s we did.
“When stuff like that happens you have to block it out even though it’s so blatant. The manager spoke to us after and said there’s help if we need it. It’s one of those things that happens but we were focused on the game.
“The whole set-up of the FA, the manager, the people around us said that if we need to (get counselling) then we can. I feel we’ve got good staff and team-mates around us to talk to if we need to as well.
“Racism, wherever it is, is no laughing matter and is something that needs to be kicked out of the game.
“It’s a gradual process, it’s not going to stop overnight and we have to keep drumming it into people that it’s not acceptable.”
Two men were arrested following the FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie between Haringey and Yeovil on Saturday, a match which was abandoned after Haringey player Coby Rowe alleged he was racially abused and the teams left the field.
The tie will be now be replayed on October 29.
Haringey chairman Aki Achillea claimed goalkeeper Douglas Pajetat was spat upon and had a bottle thrown at him.
Northampton are also investigating claims of discriminatory chanting by Salford during their Sky Bet League Two match on Saturday.
