Everton Football Club and the Labour Party have both launched investigations after the JC alerted them to an image circulated on social media of two men carrying a banner including the club crest which calls for Israel to be kicked out of international football..

The ‘‘Toffees Say Kick Israel Out Of UEFA and FIFA’’ banner has been widely shared this week on Facebook by the James Larkin Society Liverpool site -  a group set up to honour the memory of the Irish born trade-unionist – and by a group caling itself Boycott Israel Apartheid Ireland.

Sources have told the JC that the two individuals holding the banner are local Labour Party activists and that one of the duo has identified himself as a Liverpool fan on his own social media page.

Everton confirmed to the JC the club had begun an investigation into both the banner and the individuals pictured holding it. They have also lodged a complain with Facebook over copyright issues.

They said that if the two men were proven to be Everton fans the club would take action against them - although the club were aware of claims that at least one of the individuals was not in fact one of their fans.

The spokesman added:’“The club has been made aware of this photograph which is circulating on social media.”

‘’Everton takes the misrepresentation of the club and its fans very seriously and will be investigating the matter.’

“Last year Everton launched ‘All Together Now’, a campaign to celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity, with the Club reaffirming a zero tolerance policy on all forms of discrimination.  

“‘All Together Now’ unifies Everton and Everton in the Community’s collaborative work regarding equality and diversity to ensure all fans - and anyone visiting Goodison Park or its community facilities - feel safe, welcome and catered for at all times.” 

Om Friday it is also understood that Labour launched an investigation into claims that the two individuals holding the banner are party members.

A Labour spokesperson said:''The Labour Party takes all complaints of antisemitism extremely seriously and they are fully investigated inl ine with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.''