Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has insisted that he always felt calm over the allegations that he racially abused Everton centre-back Mason Holgate.
The pair brawled during the Merseyside derby in the FA Cup in January, with Holgate informing referee Bobby Madley and teammates that the Brazilian had called him "a n***er".
The Football Association exonerated Firmino of racially abusing the Toffees defender 47 days later, also clearing Holgate of intentionally making the false allegation.
"I always felt calm about [the allegations] because I knew I had not said what they were accusing me of," Firmino told Goal.com.
"I have suffered racial prejudice and I know how painful it is. People need to take this issue more seriously and engage in this fight against racism."
Everton previously stated that they accepted the FA's decision and appreciated the thoroughness of their investigation.
Written by
Matthew Jones
Matthew Jones
