Merseyside police are investigating after the former editor had a column published in the paper yesterday which among other things, compared Ross Barkley, who is of mixed race, to a gorilla.
Mackenzie claims he was not aware of Barkley’s heritage and denies there was any racist connotation, but Everton have responded to pressure to follow their Merseyside neighbours’ lead in making it clear that The Sun was not welcome at the club.
Club Statement: pic.twitter.com/xDkptbbamk
— Everton (@Everton) April 15, 2017
In a statement, the club said: “Yesterday Everton Football Club informed The Sun newspaper it was banned from Goodison Park, the USM Finch Farm training ground and all areas of the Club’s operation.
“Whilst we will not dignify any journalist with a response to appalling and indefensible allegations, the newspaper has to know that any attack on this City, either against a much respected community or individual, is not acceptable.”
The Sun has been boycotted in Liverpool since former editor and Mackenzie signed off on the infamous ‘The Truth’ headline in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.
My message to the people's club – listen to the people. We will continue to make our feelings heard until you do. pic.twitter.com/WdImReHybT
— Joe Anderson (@mayor_anderson) April 14, 2017
