Liverpool have moved quickly to condemn a 'highly offensive' banner of Divock Origi, which was unfurled before Liverpool's Champions League match away to Genk.
The explicit banner depicted the Belgian striker's head on a naked body beside the European Cup. A statement from the club has said that the image "perpetuated a racist stereotype" and that the club "acted swiftly to have the banner removed."
"This is completely unacceptable," a club statement said. "Liverpool Football Club condemns the offensive banner displayed in our section of the ground, prior to kick-off."
The statement was released during the first-half of the match at the Luminus Arena in Genk. The banner itself was removed by what appeared to be Liverpool staff shortly before the players came on to the pitch for their warm up. The nature of the banner could lead to UEFA sanctions for the current European champions due to its racial connotations.
Liverpool ensured that the club would reprimand those responsible. "We are now working with the local authorities and stadium team in Genk to identify those responsible," they said in their statement. "Any subsequent action will be taken in keeping with our sanctions process."
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