Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier denies Nicolas Anelka's allegations of racism

Hitting back: Houllier has denied Anelka's claims
Michael Regan/Getty Images
James Benge19 October 2015

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has denied allegations by former player Nicolas Anelka that he is racist.

The 36-year-old striker, who is currently player-manager at Mumbai City FC, posted a YouTube video in which he alleged that comments Houllier made in his autobiography were “of a racist nature”.

The passage Anelka referred to says “for the first time of my life I saw black men turn red-faced” in relation to an argument with the striker’s brothers. However Houllier strongly denied Anelka’s claims.

The Liverpool manager between 1998 and 2004 was quote by L’Equipe as saying: “It is absolutely ludicrous and ridiculous.

“It’s false, completely false. It is a serious slander.

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“I defy anyone to say that I am a racist with the number of black players I have had the chance to work with. (Eric) Abidal, (Alou) Diarra, (Michael) Essien and many others, you ask them.”

Houiller added that he is considering legal action.

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