Liverpool have been without one of their players since late November after the FA found that he had used a racist term referring to skin colour.
Rafaela Borggraeff’s suspension was revealed on Friday (Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool Women’s star Rafaela Borggraeff has been suspended for six games after the Football Association found she had made a racist comment related to the color of her skin. Borggrafe, 25, has already featured in five of those matches, with the German goalkeeper last joining Liverpool’s squad in late November.
The remarks in question were said to have been heard as Liverpool players were preparing to take a team photo during pre-season. Several of Borggraeff’s teammates and his coach reportedly issued a warning.
Liverpool investigated the incident before it was reported to the FA. Borggrafe, who has made three first-team appearances since joining from Freiburg, accepted the sanction but has also been ordered to enroll in an educational program.
The Guardian reports that details of the disciplinary action will not be made public due to player welfare concerns, and that Liverpool will not be commenting further. Reds manager Gareth Taylor confirmed in a press conference on Friday: “We have some updates on the situation in the sense that the FA have completed a thorough investigation.”
“They suspended her for six games. That suspension continues while we play, so effectively she will not be considered for this weekend’s squad, but she will be eligible for selection after that.”
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When asked about the difficulty of the investigation, Taylor said: “The situation is the situation. The team and the club acted in an appropriate manner.”
“We have been supporting the FA with this investigation. I would say it has dragged on a little bit. I think it’s frustrating for everyone involved, especially Rafa.”
“But I’m glad it’s finished and now we know the details of what it’s actually going to look like so we can all move on.”
Borggraeff’s final match of his suspension will be played on Sunday. Liverpool will face fourth division London Bees in the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup.
Rafaela Borggraf will be available next weekend (Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool are at the bottom of the Women’s Super League, without a win in their opening 12 games. Taylor’s team also only scored eight goals.
The former Manchester City manager wants his players to avoid “banana peels” in their cups. “I know we’re expected to win,” Taylor said. “Everyone is stressing about winning, but the team makes it difficult. Nothing can be taken for granted. We have a chance to dominate the game the way I see it and I hope that’s the result.”
“The way we play, we know we’re going to get the ball into the wide players, we’re going to put the ball into the final third and we’re going to move up the pitch as a team. But the important thing is to get the ball into the back of the goal. That’s the hardest thing in football.”
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