Liverpool Goalkeeper Banned Six Matches for Discrimination

Liverpool goalkeeper Rafaela Borggrafe has received a six-match ban from the Football Association after an investigation concluded she used discriminatory language toward a teammate, the club's head coach Gareth Taylor confirmed Friday.

The 25-year-old German, who joined Liverpool on a free transfer from SC Freiburg last July, made the remark during preseason preparations in the Republic of Ireland last summer. The comment, which reportedly referenced skin color, was overheard by staff and teammates as the squad lined up for a photograph. Liverpool conducted an internal review and referred the matter to the FA, which launched a formal inquiry in September. Borggrafe accepted the charge several weeks ago and has been required to complete an education program as part of the sanction. She has already served five matches of the suspension and will miss one more this weekend before becoming eligible for selection next week.

Taylor provided the update ahead of Liverpool's Women's FA Cup fourth-round match Sunday against lower-league London Bees. "We have a slight update on the situation, in the sense that the FA has now completed its thorough investigation," he told reporters. "They...