The Football Association has opened an investigation into Liverpool Women's goalkeeper Rafaela Borggrafe over allegations she used discriminatory language that referenced skin colour during a team photo session.
The incident reportedly happened as Liverpool's squad was getting ready for a photograph before their season opener against Everton. Several teammates and staff members overheard the alleged remarks.
Liverpool acted quickly, launching their own internal review before reporting the matter to the FA. The club has thrown its full weight behind the governing body's investigation.
The 25-year-old German goalkeeper joined Liverpool this summer on a free transfer from SC Freiburg. She's yet to make her debut for the club.
Rafaela Borggrafe is under investigation for alleged racism
|Reports state that Borggrafe has denied making any discriminatory comments during the ongoing proceedings.
Borggrafe missed Liverpool's opening match of the season, a 4-1 defeat to Everton at Anfield. Manager Gareth Taylor described her absence as an "internal club issue" when asked about it after the game.
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The goalkeeper returned to Germany during this period, missing several training sessions. But she's since come back to Merseyside and rejoined the squad.
Taylor confirmed before Liverpool's match against Leicester that Borggrafe was "back in with us" and "back training with the team."
She made the squad for that game as an unused substitute in what turned out to be another loss for Liverpool.
Liverpool Women's boss Graham Taylor insisted Rafaela Borggrafe's absence was an internal club issue
|PA
The club has followed FA protocols throughout, which means Borggrafe can continue to be involved unless the governing body says otherwise.
Liverpool released a statement on Friday backing the FA's investigation.
"Liverpool Football Club is aware of an alleged use of discriminatory language by an LFC Women's player," the club said.
"The club has followed its protocols to the fullest extent and the alleged incident has been reported to the FA, which is conducting an investigation with our full support.
"We condemn all forms of discrimination; it has no place in football or society. We are unable to comment further while the investigation is ongoing."
Borggrafe spent over a decade at Freiburg after joining their academy system.
She played in pre-season friendlies for Liverpool but hasn't featured in a competitive match yet.
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Liverpool were battered 4-1 earlier this month by rivals Everton at home
|PA
Liverpool are still searching for their first win of the season. They're one of three WSL teams yet to pick up a point, alongside West Ham and newly promoted London City Lionesses.
The team faces Aston Villa away on Sunday. It's not clear whether Borggrafe will be available for selection.
She missed Thursday's training session, but that was due to family reasons and had nothing to do with the investigation.
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The timing of the alleged incident couldn't have been worse for Liverpool. They've lost both their opening matches and desperately need to turn things around.t
For Borggrafe, it's been a difficult start to life in English football. She arrived with high hopes after more than ten years at Freiburg but finds herself at the center of a serious investigation before even making her competitive debut.