Spartak player hit by racism charge after Liverpool clash

Cape Town - Spartak Moscow teenager Leonid Mironov has been charged with racially abusing Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster.

Liverpool reported Mironov to UEFA following Wednesday’s UEFA Youth League clash after Brewster had to be restrained by his team-mates and coaching staff at the final whistle.

Brewster told the referee that Mironov, 19, said something to him during the closing stages of the game, before Liverpool Under-18s coach Steven Gerrard had to calm down the 17-year-old.

UEFA have now confirmed that they have opened disciplinary proceedings against Mironov.

Anti-racism campaigners Kick It Out said: “Kick It Out is appalled to hear that a Liverpool Football Club youth team player has been subjected to racial abuse for the second time this season in a UEFA Youth League fixture against Spartak Moscow.

"Less than two months ago, Spartak Moscow supporters were found guilty of racially abusing Liverpool's Bobby Adenkanye, however it is clear that UEFA's punishment of a partial stadium closure was far from sufficient to protect Liverpool's players from further disgraceful treatment."