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For Roberto Firmino , a cloud has been lifted.

The Liverpool striker had the damaging accusation of racially abusing Everton defender Mason Holgate hanging over him for 47 days.

Firmino always maintained his innocence following the flashpoint in the FA Cup third round tie at Anfield on January 5 and finally on Wednesday evening the Football Association announced that their lengthy investigation had ended with the Brazil international being cleared.

It was ridiculous that it dragged on for so long, but nobody could accuse the FA of not being thorough. They took statements from 12 players and officials from both clubs, as well as referee Bobby Madley and fourth official Jon Moss.

They also brought in Brazilian and Portuguese linguistic and lip-reading experts to study unseen TV footage from a host of different angles.

(Image: Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

There wasn’t a shred of evidence to support Holgate’s claim that Firmino had used a racial slur. He had no case to answer.

The 26-year-old had spent several hours at Wembley last month providing his version of events. Team-mates Adam Lallana , Dejan Lovren and James Milner also gave statements.

Firmino admitted reacting angrily to Holgate pushing him over the advertising hoardings and into the crowd. After confronting him, he insulted the centre-back in Portuguese, in what translates as: ‘Are you crazy? You son of a bitch.’ He categorically denied using the racist term Holgate believed he had heard.

(Image: Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The accusation hurt Firmino and his family but for the best part of seven weeks he kept his counsel. To his immense credit, he didn’t allow the investigation to distract him from the job in hand. His form remained outstanding - scoring five goals in seven matches to take his tally for the season to 21.

His statement following the FA announcement was classy and dignified: “It is critical for football that tackling racism and all forms of discrimination is taken extremely seriously. As someone who has experienced racist abuse during my life, I know how damaging and hurtful it can be.

“Now the process is concluded, I would like to place on record, for the avoidance of any doubt, I did not say the word, or a variation of the word, that was claimed and subsequently reported in the media.”

Liverpool FC as a club also deserve credit for how they handled it. They showed that lessons have been learned from the fallout of the Luis Suarez saga in 2011. Publicly, they remained silent following their initial vow to fully assist any investigation and showed respect for the process.

Privately, there was always a confidence that Firmino was telling the truth and would be vindicated. Jurgen Klopp wouldn’t have sent Daniel Sturridge out on loan if he had seriously feared that his No 9 was facing the prospect of a hefty suspension.

No sooner had Firmino been cleared and some fans were calling for action to be taken against Holgate. That won’t happen and nor should it.

Having examined all the statements from experts and those closest to the incident, the FA decided that there is “no suggestion of this being an intentionally false or malicious allegation”. Holgate thought he had heard a racial slur amid the din from a 52,513-strong crowd and reported it to Madley in good faith.

Club rivalries need to be put to one side. What kind of message would it send out if you punished a youngster who genuinely believed he had been abused in that manner? Others would be put off speaking up.

Just because it wasn’t proven, it doesn’t mean that Holgate vindictively made it up. In effect it was simply a misunderstanding.

(Image: PA)

What Holgate should undoubtedly have been disciplined for was the reckless shove on Firmino which sent the frontman careering over the barrier and into the front row of the Main Stand. It was dangerous and Firmino was lucky to avoid serious injury.

However, after the angry confrontation that followed, Madley failed in his duty to punish that offence and that was never going to be dealt with retrospectively.

Thankfully, Firmino emerged unscathed and now the FA ruling ensures that night didn’t do any damage to his reputation either.