Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo expressed gratitude to his teammates, Liverpool players, and the broader football community for the “overwhelming messages of support” after reporting racial abuse by a fan during the Premier League season opener at Anfield.
Police launched a hate crime investigation after a 47-year-old fan was ejected from Liverpool’s stadium for allegedly racially abusing Semenyo, who is Black, during Friday’s match.
“Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever — not because of one person’s words, but because of how the entire football family stood together,” Semenyo wrote on social media Saturday. “The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together.”
The incident occurred in the first half with the score at 0-0, when Semenyo reported the abuse to referee Anthony Taylor, prompting a brief stoppage while Taylor consulted both coaches and team captains.
“To my teammates who supported me, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials who handled it professionally — thank you,” Semenyo added. “Football showed its best side when it mattered most.”
The 25-year-old Ghana international scored both of Bournemouth’s goals in the 4-2 loss. “Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch,” he wrote. “This is why I play — for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.”
Police investigate hate crime after Semenyo reportedly racially abused at Liverpool match
Merseyside Police confirmed the fan’s identity and removal from the stadium. “We will not tolerate hate crime of any form,” said Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton. “We take incidents like this very seriously and will proactively seek football banning orders, with the club, against those responsible.”
Following the game, Semenyo also reported further racial abuse received online. Bournemouth players consoled him, and an anti-discrimination message was read to the crowd at halftime.
The Premier League said it would investigate the incident and provide full support to the player and both clubs. Liverpool stated it condemns “racism and discrimination in all forms” and will cooperate fully with the ongoing police investigation.
Source: Agency