Top News

Liverpool Women star Rafaela Borggrafe is serving a six-game ban after the Football Association found her to have made a racist comment related to skin colour. Borggrafe, 25, has already served five of those matches, with the German goalkeeper last featuring in Liverpool's squad in late November.

The alleged remark in question is said to have been heard while Liverpool's players were preparing to take a team photo during pre-season. It was reportedly flagged by some of Borggrafe's team-mates and their coaches.

Liverpool probed the incident before it was referred to the FA. Borggrafe, who's made three first-team appearances since joining from Freiburg, has accepted the sanction, while she's also been ordered to enrol on an education programme.

It's been reported by the Guardian that more details surrounding the disciplinary case won't be publicised on player-welfare grounds, and Liverpool won't be commenting further. Reds manager Gareth Taylor confirmed at a press conference on Friday: "We have a slight update on the situation, in the sense that the FA has now completed its thorough investigation.

"They sanctioned the player with a six-game ban. That ban has been ongoing whilst we've been playing, so effectively she will be out of the running to be included this weekend, but after that she is available for selection."

• Marc Guehi fee revealed as Man City agree bargain January transfer deal

• Arne Slot responds to contract update from Liverpool star with clear message

When pressed on how difficult it was during the investigation, Taylor replied: "The situation is the situation. The team and the club have acted in the appropriate way.

"We've supported the FA in this investigation. I will say, it’s been dragged on a little bit. I think that's been frustrating for everyone involved, particularly Rafa.

"But we're happy now that it's completed, we're happy now that we have some actual detail on what it looks like, and all of us can now move on."

The final game of Borggrafe's ban will be served on Sunday. Liverpool travel to face fourth-tier side London Bees in the Women's FA Cup fourth round.

Liverpool are rock bottom of the Women's Super League, failing to win a single one of their opening 12 games. Taylor's side have also only scored eight goals.

The former Manchester City boss wants his players to avoid a 'banana skin' in the cup. "We know we're expected to win," Taylor said. "Everybody sees an emphatic victory, but teams make it difficult. Nothing is a given. We have an opportunity to go and dominate a game in the way I see us doing and I am hoping that will be the outcome.

"With the way we play, we know we'll get balls into our wide players, get it into the final third and progress up the pitch as a team. But it is about putting the ball in the back of the net - and that's the hardest thing in football."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us - and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.