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Liverpool supporters group Kop Outs have called on the club to terminate their new sponsorship deal with Visit Maldives due to the human rights record in the country.

The Reds announced on Thursday a multi-year deal with Visit Maldives which sees them become the club's official tourism partner.

That has been met with anger from LGBT+ fan group Kop Outs, who issued a strongly-worded statement expressing "profound anger and disappointment" at the agreement which they believe "directly contradicts the club's stated commitment to equality and inclusion".

Kop Outs have urged Liverpool to engage in meaningful dialogue with themselves and other fan groups to address concerns and for the club to publicly reaffirm its commitment to LGBT+ rights and human rights for all.

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Chair of Kop Outs, Paul Amann, said: "We are livid that after celebrating LGBT+ History Month and five years of Red Together, LFC has chosen to side with an oppressor of human rights.

"LFC must reverse this, or lose not only all credibility on human rights, but also any chance of retaining its much-cherished Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS) Advanced Level."

When contacted by the ECHO, Liverpool stressed the club remains fully committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion and a new partnership does not change that.

Visit Maldives are operated by the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), which is a state-owned enterprise.

Kop Outs claim Liverpool "are effectively partnering with the Maldivian government and thereby aligning themselves with their views and laws" while citing it as an example of "sportswashing".

The statement from Kop Outs continued: "Maldives' treatment of LGBT+ individuals is deeply concerning.

This sponsorship effectively endorses a regime that actively violates the fundamental human rights of its citizens.

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"There are deeply concerning reports detailing the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Maldives.

The LFC Foundation has a detailed safeguarding policy that references FGM, yet this deal with Visit Maldives may leave Liverpool FC complicit with a state that fails to protect women and girls from this harmful practice.

"Liverpool FC, a club with a rich history of social justice and a global fanbase that includes countless LGBT+ supporters, should not be associated with such a regime.

We urge all Liverpool Fans and human rights advocates to stand with us in condemning this decision."