Ciaran O'Loughlin started in goal in the u18 Merseyside derby and was highly thought of by his youth coaches
Ciaran O'Loughlin playing during the u18s Merseyside derby in December 2015
Ciaran O'Loughlin playing during the u18s Merseyside derby in December 2015(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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A former Everton youth player racially abused star striker Beto during a match at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Ciaran O'Loughlin was on the books at Everton for a number of years and started in goal for the Toffees' during an u18 Merseyside derby in a match where Trent Alexander Arnold captained Liverpool.
The ECHO understands the now 28-year-old, from Birkenhead, then spent time playing for an American university before featuring for a series of clubs across the north west including Vauxhall Motors, Cammell Laird, Litherland and Bootle. O'Loughlin appeared before Sefton Magistrates' Court on Friday to be sentenced for a series of racist comments he made attending the Blues v West Ham at Hill Dickinson Stadium in September 2025.
The court heard O'Loughlin remarked: "Who are we playing here, n****** FC?" He launched into a series of vile racist taunts aimed at the West Ham players, which the ECHO has chosen not to repeat. O'Loughlin also shouted one of the West Ham players was a "fat German c***".
The court also heard how O'Loughlin, who told police officers he could not confirm or deny his actions because he was "very drunk", had directed racist comments towards Everton players. One fan recalled how O'Loughlin shouted towards Beto: "He is s*** and he is black."
Fred Sibling, who provided a statement to the court about O'Loughlin, said the racist appeared to stop his rant when another fan said: "Come on. Reel it in, lad." Dominic Sibbring told the court the comments were "distressing to me and other supporters", while James Williams said he felt "intimidated and uncomfortable".
The court heard the matter was initially reported via Kick It Out before a crime report and investigation was carried out. Merseyside Police match commander Superintendent Matthew Moscrop said: "O'Loughlin was seen and heard by other fans in the stadium to make racist and offensive marks towards West Ham and Everton players.
"The remarks were made audibly and repeatedly and clearly caused offence and distress to other fans sitting nearby. This type of behaviour has no place in football. Merseyside Police will continue to work alongside our local clubs and the Kick it Out campaign to identify and bring to justice anyone found responsible for committing a hate crime.
"I hope this sends a clear message and acts as a deterrent to others that we will put you before the courts to be prosecuted if you choose to behave in such a deplorable way."
Ciaran O'Loughlin
Ciaran O'Loughlin(Image: Merseyside Police)
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O'Loughlin, of the Seamus O'Donnells pub on Exmouth Street in Birkenhead, had entered guilty pleas to the single charge of racially aggravated intentional harassment in January. He sat slumped in his chair with his head in his hands as the extent of his criminality was laid bare in court.
In mitigation, Ella Lacey, defending, told the court her client was "disgusted, ashamed and deeply appalled" by his actions. She said the "long-term football fan" had brought a "great deal of shame upon himself, his family and the wider community".
Ms Lacey said O'Loughlin, who had a full-time job, was a "positive member of society [who] had never been in trouble before". She said he was willing to work with the Probation Service to address his behaviour.
The defence lawyer said: "Since the incident he has only drunk alcohol on one occasion. He has scared himself and never wants to find himself in that situation again." She added her client had already been banned by Everton from attending matches.
Judge Mary Dowrick said: "I think from the way you reacted when what happened was described, you know how appalling this behaviour was. You were hanging your head, and quite rightly."
Judge Dowrick sentenced O'Loughlin to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. O'Loughlin was also hit with a three-year football banning order, which means he isn't allowed to attend any football in the UK or be within three miles of a stadium in the hours before and after a match.
The judge told the defendant: "This was a sustained incident and a not insignificant number of people were disgusted." She added the case was made more serious by the fact he had been drinking." Addressing the suspended sentence, Judge Dowrick said: "That is now hanging over you. If you get in any more trouble that will kick in."
The ECHO previously covered an incident in January 2015 where O'Loughlin suffered a neck injury following an "argument" at Everton's Finch Farm training ground with another player. The ECHO reported at the time how O'Loughlin had joined the club's academy at the age of eight and was highly thought of by academy coaches.
The Everton website listed former Blues stopper Tim Howard as O'Loughlin's role model. Later that year he played in the Professional u18 Development League, where Everton ultimately finished second behind Manchester City.
O'Loughlin moved to the States and played for the University of Maryland. According to the university's website, he was named in the America East all-rookie team in his debut season. The ECHO understands he left Bootle FC in July 2025 and has not played for another team since.
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