Liverpool Denounce Racist Banner of Divock Origi at Champions League Game

Liverpool have issued a statement in response to some of the club's supporters unfurling an offensive banner containing an image of striker Divock Origi at the game away to Genk in Group E of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

The banner was held up in the away end at the Luminus Arena in Belgium and prompted the following response from the club (h/t BBC Sport):

"This is completely unacceptable. Liverpool Football Club condemns the offensive banner displayed in our section of the ground, prior to kick-off. We acted swiftly to have the banner removed and we are now working with the local authorities and stadium team in Genk to identify those responsible. Any subsequent action will be taken in keeping with our sanctions process."

The BBC report noted how the banner showed Origi's "head on a naked body, alongside the Champions League trophy. Liverpool moved quickly to remove the sign because it "perpetuated a racist stereotype."

This is the second time in recent days one of the Premier League's major clubs has sought to take action against one of its own supporters over an instance of racism.

Manchester United served a fan with an indefinite ban, subject to appeal, after the individual was found to have racially abused Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, per BBC Sport. The incident took place during United's 1-1 draw with the Reds in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday.

An official statement from the Red Devils promised "strong action" in response to any similar incidents in the future. For their part, Liverpool expressed "support" for United's swift actions, per Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo.

Swift and emphatic action is becoming the only option for clubs to help tackle a major problem in the game. The issue is in United's minds ahead of the club facing Partizan Belgrade away in Group L of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.

Partizan played the last two home games in the competition behind closed doors after racial abuse marred a qualifier against Yeni Malatyaspor. United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said his team will follow the three-step protocol laid out by UEFA if there are any incidents during the match in the Serbian capital, per James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph.

Events in Genk will increase the focus of clubs on the conduct of their supporters in subsequent European ties.