Antoine Semenyo speaks out as police identify fan who racially abused him during Liverpool clash

Merseyside Police have confirmed a fan was identified and removed from the stadium for racially abusing Antoine Semenyo. The Bournemouth star also sent a message on social media following the incident, which halted the Premier League opener against Liverpool at Anfield on Friday night. Semenyo reported racial abuse during the match at AnfieldGetty GettyThe Premier League opener was paused amid grim scenes[/caption] A night that was meant to celebrate the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, and remember Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, will instead be remembered by a shocking moment in the first-half. The match was paused by referee Anthony Taylor in the 29th minute after Semenyo reported he had been racially abused by a supporter in the stands. Taylor spoke to both Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola on the touchline, with captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith also being called upon. The match resumed after a short break, and the Premier League confirmed the reported abuse in a strong mid-match statement. “Tonight’s match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. “This is in line with the Premier League’s on-field anti-discrimination protocol. “The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. “We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.” The incident overshadowed the first game of the new Premier League season, as they defending champions secured a 4-2 win to deny a spirited Bournemouth comeback – with Semenyo scoring both of the Cherries’ goals after the incident occurred. Merseyside Police then said on Saturday morning that a 47-year-old man was removed from the ground and an investigation was under way after his identity was confirmed. Footage appeared to show the moment Semenyo was abused by a supporter at Anfield. The fan was later escorted out of the stadiumX Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, the match commander for the game, said: “Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form. “We take incidents like this very seriously, and in cases like this we will be proactively seeking football banning orders, with the club, against those responsible.” After the game, Semenyo took to his Instagram story and exposed a string of monkey emojis posted by a social media user under one of his previous posts, alongside the caption: “When will it stop?” Liverpool released a statement after full-time, saying: “Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth. “We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, it has no place in society or football. The club is unable to comment further as tonight’s alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully.” Semenyo scored two goals in the second half in an inspiring response to the sickening abuse and his skipper, Smith, lauded his resilience on the pitch. Semenyo shared a racist message he received after the Liverpool game, along with the identity of the abuserInstagram: @AntoineSemenyo42 “It shouldn’t be happening,” he told Sky Sports. “I don’t know how Ant’s played on to be honest and come up with those goals. It’s totally unacceptable. “Something needs to be done. Taking the knee isn’t having an effect. We’re supporting him and hopefully he’ll be OK. “I wanted him to react because that’s what I would have done, but this shows what type of man he is…to come up with those goals showed the type of guy he is. “To be fair the Liverpool players were very supportive as well towards Antoine and the rest of the team. It was handled in the right way but…so angry. “I don’t know what else we can do. No one’s getting it. I don’t know what to say anymore. I just feel for Ant…shocking.” The Football Association also said: “We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd, which was reported to the match officials during the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Bournemouth. Slot spoke with Semenyo after the match to offer his support to the Bouremouth starGetty “Incidents of this nature have no place in our game, and we will work closely with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken.” talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham said on commentary: “Antoine Semenyo, racially abused by a member of the crowd at Anfield here tonight. “It’s 2025, day one of the Premier League season. It’s unacceptable, that’s an obvious thing to say. “But let’s make it clear, it

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Antoine Semenyo speaks out as police identify fan who racially abused him during Liverpool clash

Merseyside Police have confirmed a fan was identified and removed from the stadium for racially abusing Antoine Semenyo.

The Bournemouth star also sent a message on social media following the incident, which halted the Premier League opener against Liverpool at Anfield on Friday night.

Semenyo reported racial abuse during the match at Anfield

The Premier League opener was paused amid grim scenes[/caption]

A night that was meant to celebrate the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, and remember Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, will instead be remembered by a shocking moment in the first-half.

The match was paused by referee Anthony Taylor in the 29th minute after Semenyo reported he had been racially abused by a supporter in the stands.

Taylor spoke to both Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola on the touchline, with captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith also being called upon.

The match resumed after a short break, and the Premier League confirmed the reported abuse in a strong mid-match statement.

“Tonight’s match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

“This is in line with the Premier League’s on-field anti-discrimination protocol.

“The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society.

“We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.”

The incident overshadowed the first game of the new Premier League season, as they defending champions secured a 4-2 win to deny a spirited Bournemouth comeback – with Semenyo scoring both of the Cherries’ goals after the incident occurred.

Merseyside Police then said on Saturday morning that a 47-year-old man was removed from the ground and an investigation was under way after his identity was confirmed.

Footage appeared to show the moment Semenyo was abused by a supporter at Anfield. The fan was later escorted out of the stadium

Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, the match commander for the game, said: “Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form.

“We take incidents like this very seriously, and in cases like this we will be proactively seeking football banning orders, with the club, against those responsible.”

After the game, Semenyo took to his Instagram story and exposed a string of monkey emojis posted by a social media user under one of his previous posts, alongside the caption: “When will it stop?”

Liverpool released a statement after full-time, saying: “Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth.

“We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, it has no place in society or football. The club is unable to comment further as tonight’s alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully.”

Semenyo scored two goals in the second half in an inspiring response to the sickening abuse and his skipper, Smith, lauded his resilience on the pitch.

Semenyo shared a racist message he received after the Liverpool game, along with the identity of the abuser

“It shouldn’t be happening,” he told Sky Sports. “I don’t know how Ant’s played on to be honest and come up with those goals. It’s totally unacceptable.

“Something needs to be done. Taking the knee isn’t having an effect. We’re supporting him and hopefully he’ll be OK.

“I wanted him to react because that’s what I would have done, but this shows what type of man he is…to come up with those goals showed the type of guy he is.

“To be fair the Liverpool players were very supportive as well towards Antoine and the rest of the team. It was handled in the right way but…so angry.

“I don’t know what else we can do. No one’s getting it. I don’t know what to say anymore. I just feel for Ant…shocking.”

The Football Association also said: “We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd, which was reported to the match officials during the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Bournemouth.

Slot spoke with Semenyo after the match to offer his support to the Bouremouth star

“Incidents of this nature have no place in our game, and we will work closely with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken.”

talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham said on commentary: “Antoine Semenyo, racially abused by a member of the crowd at Anfield here tonight.

“It’s 2025, day one of the Premier League season. It’s unacceptable, that’s an obvious thing to say.

“But let’s make it clear, it is totally unacceptable. If that racist can be identified and found, and it shouldn’t be hard, they have to be banned from Anfield, banned from all grounds and there have to be criminal proceedings.

“It has to be taken seriously because I’ll say it again, it’s 2025 and it’s the Premier League. You just can’t have this kind of thing going on. It’s simply, totally and utterly unacceptable.

“And actually for me, it’s spoiled what’s been an emotional evening and but what has been a brilliant first half.”

Semenyo left Anfield stunned with two second half goals

Chiesa and Salah scored late on to rescue an opening day win for Liverpool

Liverpool felt aggrieved early on in the thrilling Premier League opener when Marcos Senesi escaped a red card for a handball.

But Hugo Ekitike scored a debut goal to put the hosts ahead with eight minutes left in the first half.

He then assisted Cody Gakpo for the second as visitors Bournemouth struggled to find a response to the opener.

However, the deficit was halved when Semenyo pulled a goal back for the Cherries with his finish from a quick counter-attack.

Semenyo then scored an excellent second with a low finish into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

But with two minutes on the clock, Federico Chiesa produced a fine strike on the volley to score his first Premier League goal.

The Kop paid a touching tribute to Jota pre-match, but pundits admitted the night was ruined by the Semenyo incident

And then Mohamed Salah made it 4-2 in stoppage-time as defending Premier League champions Liverpool avoided a shock result on the opening weekend.

But Gary Neville admitted the incident in the first half with Semenyo completely ruined the occasion and final result, as the Manchester United legend issued a strong message.

“It overshadows what should be an amazing night,” he said on Sky.

“First game of the Premier League season, a beautiful day, 62,000 fans in the stadium and that boy [Semenyo] basically has been racially abused and has had to go over to a referee to complain about it.

“I can’t even begin to think what would be going through someone’s mind, however it’s happened and it’ll keep on happening and it’s a sorry state.”