FA release statement on Roberto Firmino and Mason Holgate incident from FA Cup clash
THE FA have confirmed they will be making enquiries into the incident between Roberto Firmino and Mason Holgate last night.
Liverpool secured a 2-1 win over rivals Everton at Anfield to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
But one of the biggest talking points was Holgate’s push on Liverpool striker Firmino.
The Everton star sent his Liverpool counterpart flying into the stands with team-mates then having to intervene to stop tempers from boiling over.
Firmino reacted furiously to the push and confronted Holgate.
Replays showed Firmino venting his anger at his rival and Holgate did not take kindly to his words as he called for referee Bobby Madley to take action.
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Roberto Firmino and Mason Holgate trigger Merseyside derby scrap
Fri, January 5, 2018Roberto Firmino and Mason Holgate sparked a heated bust-up during Liverpool and Everton's FA Cup third round tie at Anfield
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Mason Holgate and Roberto Firmino were involved in a heated bust-up at Anfield
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A statement from the FA read: “The FA can confirm that referee Bobby Madley was made aware of an allegation during the Liverpool versus Everton game at Anfield last night and has subsequently reported this to The FA, which will now begin making enquiries into the matter.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hit out at Holgate following the incident.
“It was not necessary for Mason Holgate to give Firmino that push," he said.
"It was really dangerous and usually players don't do that. We cannot change that."
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Everton boss Sam Allardyce was asked about the incident after the game and added: "I haven't found out exactly what happened. I'm here to talk about football not controversial issues.
"Even if I had or hadn't spoken to Mason Holgate I wouldn't tell anyone because that's another area of the authority of the football club. I will let the director of football [Steve Walsh] deal with that."
Neither player was booked after the first-half incident.
