The Guardian:
A police investigation has been launched after deaf football fans complained they had lip-read Liverpool's Steve Finnan making a racist remark towards Patrice Evra of Manchester United.
The Merseyside club immediately denounced the claim as an "outrageous slur" but Greater Manchester police confirmed last night that inquiries are ongoing into allegations that the Liverpool full-back "made an offensive comment" during last month's 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
It is understood that the alleged remark was picked up by fans watching the game on television. Two contacted the police, as well as Manchester United, and claimed they had lip-read what the Republic of Ireland international apparently said. Police are understood to have taken statements and to be reviewing footage of the game.
The revelations drew an angry response from Anfield. "The first either the club or the player knew about this matter was through the media," a spokesman said. "There has been absolutely no contact from the Greater Manchester police. We have subsequently had a video of the match analysed by a lip-reader, who has told us there is nothing to support this outrageous slur."
The incident allegedly happened after Finnan had given away the stoppage-time free-kick on Evra that led to Rio Ferdinand heading the decisive goal. Evra, however, was unaware of any racist taunts. The Senegal-born Frenchman, a £5.5m signing from Monaco in January, has not raised any complaints although he is aware of the allegations.
United will not comment because it is a possible criminal matter.
The Sun is a bit more graphic:
The fans, who watched the match on TV, told officers the slur came in the last five minutes of United’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford five weeks ago.
One fan claimed Finnan said to 24-year-old Evra: "You black b*****d. Why don’t you f*** off?"
The second alleged the full-back said: "You f****** piece of black s***. F*** off."
Last night cops were debating whether to quiz 29-year-old Republic of Ireland star Finnan.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "We received two separate complaints.
"It has been reported one of the players made an offensive comment during the Manchester United versus Liverpool match at Old Trafford on January 22. Investigations are continuing."
The Liverpool Echo:
Liverpool FC has employed a lip reading expert to determine if one of their players racially abused a Manchester United star during last month's league game at Old Trafford, it was revealed yesterday.
Two deaf Manchester United fans watching the match on TV claimed they read the lips of the Liverpool player and alleged he racially abused an opposing player.
The alleged taunt was made during the Premiership clash in January when United defender Gary Neville was criticised for taunting Reds fans as he celebrated Rio Ferdinand's winning goal.
Staff at Anfield heard about the complaint and took the extraordinary step of employing the lip-reader.
A spokesman said: "The police have not made contact with the player or anyone else at LFC. The first either the player or a club became aware of this was through the media and not from the police.
"We had the video of the game analysed yesterday by a lip-reading expert and there is no evidence at all to support this outrageous slur.
"The player vehemently denies these allegations. He has not used any such language."