Fan Arrested for Racial Abuse of Antoine Semenyo During Liverpool vs Bournemouth Match
A 47-year-old Liverpool man was arrested at Anfield after racially abusing Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during Friday’s Premier League opener, prompting swift action by Merseyside Police and renewed calls to combat racism in football.
The man was ejected from the stadium after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, a Ghana international, reported being racially abused by a fan in the crowd during the first half of the game. Referee Anthony Taylor stopped play after the report and spoke with both team managers and captains before allowing the match to continue.
In a statement released Saturday, Merseyside Police confirmed that the man – a Liverpool resident – had been taken into custody and would be interviewed over the incident.
Police Arrest at Anfield Highlights Ongoing Issue of Racism in Football
The arrest has brought renewed attention to the issue of racism in football stadiums, particularly in the English Premier League, where efforts to root out abuse have intensified in recent years.
Semenyo later took to Instagram to share his reaction, thanking teammates, Liverpool players and fans, and match officials for their support.
“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,” he wrote.
Despite the incident, Semenyo scored twice in the second half to draw Bournemouth level after Liverpool had taken a 2-0 lead. The hosts eventually won 4-2 with two late goals.
Racial Abuse Spurs Strong Reactions from Premier League Figures
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola condemned the abuse, calling it a “big shame that these things keep happening.” Team captain Adam Smith said he was shocked that racism of this kind still occurs.
“I don’t know how Ant carried on playing and came up with those goals,” Smith said.
“Taking a knee has had no effect. Something more needs to be done.”
Online Abuse Continues After the Match
Semenyo also revealed he was targeted online after the game, sharing a screenshot of a comment featuring monkey emojis, a racist trope often directed at Black players.
“When will it stop?” he asked in a follow-up post.
Premier League Condemns Abuse, Urges Accountability
The Premier League has condemned the incident and reiterated its commitment to eradicating racism from the sport. The league continues to support initiatives such as Kick It Out and encourages fans to report any abusive behavior, whether in stadiums or online.
The swift police response and arrest in this case underscores the growing emphasis on zero tolerance for racism in football, particularly in high-profile matches like Liverpool vs Bournemouth.
