Spartak Moscow charged by UEFA over 'racist monkey chants' at youth clash with Liverpool

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UEFA has charged Spartak Moscow with racist behaviour following alleged monkey chants at a junior game against Liverpool.

The charge relates to a UEFA Youth League match in Moscow on September 26, just hours before Spartak and Liverpool played in the Champions League.

The monkey chants were believed to be aimed at Bobby Adekanye, an 18-year-old Liverpool winger who was born in Nigeria and plays internationally for Holland.

Liverpool's Nigeria-born winger Bobby Adekanye was subjected to abusive chants in Russia

Adekanye is highly regarded within Liverpool's academy but suffered a night of abusive chants

Adekanye is highly regarded within Liverpool's academy and he was named by Steven Gerrard, who is in charge of the Under 19s European campaign, in a team that included Wales striker Ben Woodburn. 

The charge is part of Spartak's third run-in with UEFA disciplinary authorities this season. The Russian champions were fined and stripped of their away-ticket allocation for one game after supporters fired a flare which nearly hit a referee.

Spartak is facing further charges after its fans protested the first decision with smoke bombs and a banner reading "UEFA Mafia."  

Steven Gerrard looks to encourage his side at Spartak's academy on Tuesday afternoon