Oldham Athletic have issued a statement on the incident involving Norwich City midfielder Tom Adeyemi who was allegedly racially abused at Anfield on Friday night.

The 20-year-old, who is currently on loan at Oldham, was targeted by a fan sitting in The Kop during the latter stages of Liverpool's FA Cup third-round tie with the Greater Manchester-based club.

'The Chairman and Directors of Oldham Athletic Football Club would like to thank Liverpool Football Club and officers of the Merseyside Police for their concerns and painstaking efforts in investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident involving Tom Adeyemi.

'Excellent communication has been maintained and the club and player have been notified of every detail during the progress of the investigation. The professional standards applied throughout have been praiseworthy.

'The club would also like to thank the numerous fans from Liverpool and Oldham, and also those from around the country, who have sent letters of support to Tom.

'This type of incident is contained within a minority and should not deflect from a superb match that was enjoyed by both sets of Club officials and fans.

'We wish Liverpool every success in the next round of the Cup.'

The Norwich-born youngster was in tears after something was shouted from the Kop stand at Anfield in Oldham's 5-1 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool.

Merseyside police immediately launched an investigation as pictures were flashed around the world of the 20-year-old being comforted by Liverpool players Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard.

A 20-year-old man from Aintree was arrested on suspicion of racial abuse on Saturday and has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Liverpool Football Club issued a statement in relation to the Adeyemi incident saying it took the matter 'extremely seriously' and had provided the police with CCTV coverage and photographs, along with statements from club stewards.

Adeyemi has played 24 games for Oldham so far this season, scoring three times, and just last week had his loan extended with the Latics until the end of January.