Wednesday 21 February 2018 20:03, UK
The FA will take no action against Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino following an incident with Everton's Mason Holgate during their FA Cup third-round tie in January.
Holgate alleged that Firmino made a racist comment towards him during Liverpool's 2-1 win at Anfield but following an investigation, the FA has confirmed they will not take any action against the Brazilian.
"Having considered all of the available evidence, we consider it is not sufficient to raise a charge against Firmino," read a statement on the FA's official website.
"However, we are completely satisfied that the allegation was made in absolute good faith by Holgate and that there is no suggestion of this being an intentionally false or malicious allegation.
"We continue to take all allegations of discrimination extremely seriously and would encourage all participants who believe that they have been the subject of or witness to discriminatory abuse to report this through the appropriate channels.
"Holgate and Everton followed the proper process by reporting the matter to the match officials at the time and subsequently to The FA.
"We receive a significant number of complaints of discrimination in any one season and thoroughly investigate all complaints we receive.
"Following consideration of all of the evidence received, not all cases will result in a charge being issued."
Firmino later released a statement via Liverpool in which he confirmed he had not made a derogatory comment to Holgate.
"As difficult as it has been to remain publicly silent, given the serious and damaging nature of what it was claimed I said during the game, I did so to demonstrate my respect for the process and to allow the issue to be investigated in the most thorough way," it read.
I did not - and would never - reference a person's skin colour or culture, by means of insult, during a dispute or an argument.
"It is critical for football that tackling racism and all forms of discrimination is taken extremely seriously. As someone who has experienced racist abuse during my life, I know how damaging and hurtful it can be.
"Now the process is concluded, I would like to place on record, for the avoidance of any doubt, I did not say the word, or a variation of the word, that was claimed and subsequently reported in the media.
"I did not use any language that referenced race. I did not - and would never - reference a person's skin colour or culture, by means of insult, during a dispute or an argument.
"There is no place for discrimination on a football pitch, or anywhere else in life for that matter.
"I am pleased after exhaustive reviews of all the evidence, in this specific incident, the matter is resolved."
