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Liverpool FC to 'take action' against fan who posted picture online of two Muslim men praying at Anfield during half-time and labelled it '#disgrace...

                                                                                                                       

Liverpool FC are set to take action against a fan who said that two Muslim men praying at the club's stadium were a 'disgrace'.

Stephen Dodd caused outrage when he posted a photograph online showing solicitors Asif Bodi and Abubakar Bhula worshipping during half-time of a FA Cup game.

Now club authorities say they will 'take appropriate action' against the supporter, which could include banning him from matches.  Dodd took a photograph of the two men during a match against Blackburn Rovers last month, with the caption: 'Muslims praying at half time at the match yesterday #DISGRACE.'

After facing a huge online backlash he continued to defend himself - saying that he had the right to criticise the men because he is a long-standing Liverpool supporter

Police investigated the incident after receiving complaints from furious web users, but have now passed on the case to the club to investigate.

Liverpool FC said in a statement: 'Last month, Liverpool Football Club received complaints of a tweet showing an image of Muslim fans praying during half-time at Anfield accompanied by comments that were offensive to the complainants.

'The club reported the tweet, which was posted online on Sunday, March 8, 2015, to Merseyside Police.

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Backlash: Dodd tried to defend himself by saying that he was a long-standing fan of Liverpool

'Merseyside Police investigated the matter and has referred this to LFC to take appropriate action against the individual involved. The club is currently in the process of determining the appropriate action to take and a further update statement will be made in due course.

'Liverpool Football Club would like to remind its supporters that it does not tolerate any form of discrimination and is committed to ensuring that the club and Anfield provides a welcoming and safe environment for all fans regardless of race, religion, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation.'

Mr Bodi, 46, from Preston, whose eight-year-old son Ayman can also be seen in Dodd's photo, told the Liverpool Echo: 'My little boy said at the time, "Someone is taking a picture of us," and I thought maybe it was someone who hadn't seen prayers before.

'I certainly didn't expect to be called a disgrace for doing it. But the support since has been very nice and I'm thankful.'

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Match: The incident took place when Liverpool were playing Blackburn Rovers at Anfield in March

He added: 'We have a small window in which to pray, a bit like the transfer window in football. Once that closes the chance has gone.

'That day, the time came for prayer and the window would have closed before the game finished so we did it at half-time.

'Most people are absolutely fine with it and the stewards at Anfield are wonderful, but it only takes one or two people to react in the wrong way and you could have a nasty situation.'

Mr Bhula, 37, who has known Mr Bodi since childhood, offered to meet with Dodd to explain the importance of prayers in Islam.

He said: 'We've had a lot of nice comments since and I appreciate that. We weren't harming anybody.

'Education is key to stopping things like this from happening. Maybe the man who took the photo has not come across Muslims before who have explained the significance of prayer.

'I would be quite happy to meet with him to explain why we pray and when it needs to be done.