Firmino to be interviewed by FA after Holgate spat

Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino is set to be interviewed by the Football Association amid claims that he racially abused Everton star Mason Holgate.

The duo clashed in Liverpool’s FA Cup win over the Toffees on Friday night, during which Holgate shoved Firmino into the crowd, sparking an angry reaction from the Brazilian.

Firmino raced up to Holgate and the pair had to be separated by referee Bobby Madley as plenty of shouting an finger pointing ensued.

Neither player has been charged at this stage but there will be an interview process to determine what went on.

The Daily Mirror reports that a lip reader suggested that Holgate had told Madley that a racial reference was used by Firmino towards him.

But the same lip reader claims Firmino also used  a common term in Portuguese translating to “are you crazy, you son of a b***h,” while declaring “there was no evidence to suggest [Firmino] had actually used racist language.”

Both clubs have confirmed they will cooperate with the FA investigation and that no further comments are expected until the interview process is finished.