Police inquiry into claims of racism at FA cup match

Fans' behaviour on the terraces overshadows action at Anfield

Merseyside police launched an investigation yesterday into images of a Liverpool fan apparently making racist taunts from the stands, as claims of prejudice in sport risked overshadowing events on the pitch.

Patrice Evra, the Manchester United captain, was repeatedly booed and subjected to chants of "there's only one lying bastard" as his side lost 2-1 to a late goal by the Liverpool substitute Dirk Kuyt. Seventeen fans were ejected from the stadium and two were arrested.

Liverpool FC said it was "working closely" with police over a photograph posted on Twitter that appeared to show one Liverpool fan making a monkey gesture. In a statement the club urged "any of our supporters with any information to contact either the club or the police".

Liverpool's manager, Kenny Dalglish, had earlier praised both sets of supporters, saying: " I don't think there's anything that was untoward."

It was the first game between the two sides since the FA handed Liverpool striker Luis Suarez an eight-match ban for racially abusing Evra. During yesterday's game, Suarez faced chants of: "One racist bastard, there's only one racist bastard."

Before the kick-off supporters were warned by the stadium announcer that racist and homophobic behaviour would not be tolerated. Those found guilty of such offences could be subject to a lifetime ban from the club.

Chief Superintendent Jon Ward, the match commander, confirmed specialist officers were reviewing TV footage. "We take all forms of offensive behaviour seriously, and we will always thoroughly investigate such claims."

In a highly charged day, the team handshake between QPR and Chelsea was cancelled to "defuse tensions" in a separate race row. When the teams last met, Chelsea's John Terry was alleged to have made a racist slur against the QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

Ahead of yesterday's FA Cup clash at Loftus Road, Ferdinand was sent a letter with a bullet-like item. QPR's manager, Mark Hughes, said: "Obviously, I had an opportunity to read it and it was not particularly nice, as I am sure you can imagine."

After the usual pre-match handshake was dropped, Chelsea went on to win 1-0. Terry is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to answer the charge of racially abusing Ferdinand. The Chelsea captain has strenuously denied the claim, and is expected to enter a not guilty plea.

w Last night Merseyside police said a 59-year-old man from north Wales had been arrested in connection with the Anfield incident.

Target: Homophobia

Every Premier League football team is expected this week to sign up to the Government's Sports Charter aimed at kicking homophobia out of sport.

There is not one openly gay professional player among the 5,000 in the UK, and it is hoped a shift in attitudes would make it easier for a player to come out. Lynne Featherstone, the Lib Dem Home Office Equalities minister, said: "The whole world admires the skill in our football grounds but too often we also see the worst of intolerance and discrimination. That's why the Government launched the Sports Charter last year. It's a rallying cry for all of us to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport."

Louise Englefield, director of campaign group Pride Sports, said: "I think it will be some time before we see a Premier League player come out."

Tomorrow on BBC 3, Amal Fashanu, the niece of the late footballer Justin Fashanu, asks why prejudice persists 22 years after he came out.

Matt Chorley and Emily Dugan