Liverpool challenge UEFA to step up battle against discrimination as body finds no evidence Rhian Brewster was racially abused during Youth League clash with Spartak Moscow

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Liverpool have challenged football's authorities to step up their attempts to tackle discrimination after Rhian Brewster was left deflated by the outcome of a UEFA investigation.

The young striker, who played a starring role in the World Cup triumph of England's Under-17s last October, was involved in a furious confrontation with Spartak Moscow's Leonid Mironov during a UEFA Youth League game in December.

Brewster alleged that Mironov racially abused and reported the incident to UEFA's delegates at the game, which was staged at Prenton Park. He gave an interview to The Guardian later that month and claimed that Mironov had, amongst other things, called him a "n*****".

UEFA's investigation into Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster's racism allegations against a Spartak Moscow player has failed to find any evidence to corroborate the claim

After extensive interviews, it came down to Brewster's word against Spartak's Leonid Mironov

UEFA opened proceedings but after speaking to five players from both teams, along with the match official, they deemed that no further evidence could be taken against Mironov due to insufficient evidence. They did, however, recognise the allegation had been made "in good faith".

The news is understood to have left Brewster and his family despondent. He is currently waiting to discover whether a FIFA investigation into claims he and other England players were racially abused in the Under-17 World Cup against Spain will go any further.

It has been a hugely testing period for the 17-year-old, who will miss the rest of the season with knee and ankle problems, but Liverpool forcefully stood behind Brewster and urged the governing bodies to redouble their efforts to kick racism out of football.

Mironov admitted swearing at the England U17 striker but denied using racist language

A club spokesperson said: Liverpool Football Club acknowledges UEFA's findings and accepts that their decision, announced today, concludes the matter, as pertains to this specific case. We would like to place on record our admiration for the courage shown by Rhian Brewster throughout this process and commend his exemplary conduct.

'The club is very proud of the maturity, dignity and leadership Rhian has displayed in bringing focus to this issue and he will continue to receive our full support.

'In keeping with Rhian's stance, the club encourages football's governing bodies to facilitate the most robust processes possible to identify and tackle discrimination in the game at all ages.' 

The U17 World Cup winner claimed a Spartak player said: 'Suck my d***, you n*****, you negro'

UEFA issued a statement saying: 'Leonid Mironov was also interviewed by the inspector and stated that he indeed swore at Rhian Brewster, but he unreservedly denied using any discriminatory language 'After concluding his investigation, the inspector found no evidence to corroborate the allegations, which he believed were made in complete good faith by the Liverpool player Rhian Brewster.

'Therefore UEFA... following the recommendation of the inspector, established there was no evidence that would legally support sanctioning the FC Spartak Moskva youth player Leonid Mironov and thus decided to close the disciplinary proceedings.'