Mohamed Salah ‘racist tweet’ being investigated as Everton condemn abuse of Liverpool player

Everton investigating whether individual responsible for the alleged hate crime has links to the club

Merseyside Police are investigating a racist Twitter message aimed at Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah.

In what is being investigated as a hate crime, a tweet posted on social media included an offensive image that included a photoshopped image of the Egyptian footballer.

Everton, Liverpool’s fierce Merseyside rivals, have also confirmed that they are investigating whether the person responsible has links to the club’s supporter fanbase.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police is aware of an offensive tweet posted in relation to a Liverpool footballer, and shared by others, and will be investigating the matter.

"Hate crime in any guise will not be tolerated and those who use the internet to target others, and who commit a criminal offence such as hate crime in doing so, need to understand that they are not beyond the law."

The tweet has since been removed from Twitter, although Everton Football Club issued a statement to confirm they condemn any form of racist abuse.

"Everton condemns in the strongest terms any kind of racism,” a club statement read.

"We have shared the material with the appropriate authorities and are looking into the matter further to understand if the twitter user in question is known to the club in any way."

Salah featured in Liverpool’s penalty-shootout defeat in last weekend’s Community Shield against Manchester City, and he is expected to play a part in the opening Premier League game of the season between Liverpool and Norwich City on Friday night.