The Football Association has decided not to charge Roberto Firmino following a spat with Mason Holgate in January's FA Cup Merseyside derby.

Everton defender Holgate alleged that the Liverpool forward made a racist comment towards him during the Reds' 2-1 third-round win at Anfield.

Following an investigation, the FA concluded that the evidence was "not sufficient" to charge the Brazilian.

The 26-year-old admitted that he insulted Holgate in Portuguese, but denied using discriminatory language.

"Having considered all of the available evidence, we consider it is not sufficient to raise a charge against Firmino," the FA said in a statement.

"However, we are completely satisfied that the allegation was made in absolute good faith by Holgate and that there is no suggestion of this being an intentionally false or malicious allegation.

"We continue to take all allegations of discrimination extremely seriously and would encourage all participants who believe that they have been the subject of or witness to discriminatory abuse to report this through the appropriate channels. Holgate and Everton followed the proper process by reporting the matter to the match officials at the time and subsequently to the FA.

"We receive a significant number of complaints of discrimination in any one season and thoroughly investigate all complaints we receive. Following consideration of all of the evidence received, not all cases will result in a charge being issued."

Everton said that they would accept the findings of the investigation.