Police Investigate Offensive Tweets Sent To Everton Duo Jordan Pickford And Richarlison After Bad Tackles On Liverpool Stars Virgil Van Dijk And Thiago Alcantara

Merseyside Police have vowed to bring ‘to justice’, people who posted offensive tweets towards Everton players Jordan Pickford and Richarlison in the wake of the draw to Liverpool on Saturday.

Everton and England goalkeeper Pickford was subjected to the online abuse after his wild tackle forced Liverpool star, Virgil van Dijk off early at Goodison Park, while forward Richarlison was abused following his red card for a nasty challenge on another Liverpool playe,  Thiago Alcantara.

The police have now sent a warning saying all those involved in the online abuse ‘are not beyond the law’.

A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “We are currently investigating a number of offensive tweets made in relation to two Everton footballers.

“The language used in the tweets is totally unacceptable and we are taking the reports extremely seriously.

“Those who use the internet to target others, and who commit criminal offences such as making threats or committing a hate crime in doing so, are not beyond the law.

“Detectives are making enquiries to identify the individuals who posted the tweets and where we identify offences we will take action to bring those responsible to justice.”

The police statement comes after Pickford avoided a retrospective ban from the Football Association for his bad tackle.

According to the FA, match officials, including the Video Assistant Referee David Coote, reviewed the incident at the time but said Liverpool were not awarded a penalty because of van Dijk’s offside position.