Liverpool and Everton have jointly condemned online racist abuse received by Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, while Merseyside Police have opened an investigation.

Doucoure, 32, was targeted on social media following his side's 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

Chief superintendent Claire Doyle of Merseyside Police, external said: "We have successfully prosecuted so-called fans for racist abuse and they have been handed football banning orders along with a criminal record for their behaviour.

"If you have any information in relation please let us know because it could help our ongoing enquiries."

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A joint statement, external by the clubs described the abuse as "reprehensible" and condemned it "in the strongest possible terms".

"Together, the two clubs will work with Merseyside Police, who are conducting an investigation with the aim of identifying the individuals responsible," the clubs said.

"We also encourage people who witness or experience online abuse to report and highlight it to the social media platforms on which it appears.

"We must all, including the social media companies, take a zero-tolerance stance.

Platforms need to take accountability and action to ban such abusers.

"Racism and hate has no place online, in our stadiums or in our communities."

Doucoure's online racial abuse follows recent cases involving England defender Kyle Walker, Newcastle United's Joe Willock and Manchester City's Khadija Shaw.

In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Kick It Out (KIO) chief executive Samuel Okafor said the level of abuse in English football had "reached crisis point".

Doucoure will miss Everton's Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Saturday (17:30 GMT) through suspension.
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