Antoine Semenyo speaks out after receiving vile racist message following Liverpool vs Bournemouth.
Antoine Semenyo was subjected to vile racist abuse on social media following the incident during Liverpool vs. Bournemouth.
Liverpool beat Bournemouth 4-2 in a thrilling game at Anfield on Friday.
But the Premier League opener was marred by the racist abuse Semenyo suffered during the fixture.
In the 29th minute, referee Anthony Taylor paused the match after being told of the abuse by the star winger, who scored two goals in 12 minutes.
Taylor spoke with both captains, Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith, and Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola on the touchline before resuming the game.
After the result, Smith conducted a post-match interview with Sky Sports and gave a candid reaction to the Semenyo abuse.
Unfortunately, Semenyo was abused further on social media. He shared a disgusting message he had received on Instagram, with the caption: “When will it stop?”
Meta claim they are investigation the racist abuse sent to Semenyo on Instagram following the game.
Per Sky Sports, the social media platform are removing comments and disabling the offending accounts.
What happened to the fan who abused Antoine Semenyo and what have the police said?
After Semenyo reported the racist abuse to Taylor, officials, including Merseyside Police, inside Anfield acted swiftly.
Merseyside Police said a 47-year-old man was ejected from the stadium following reports of racist abused aimed at the 25-year-old and it is now investigating the matter.
Chief inspector Kev Chatterton said: “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.”
What did Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola say about Antoine Semenyo?
Like Cherries skipper Smith, Iraola also spoke to Sky Sports following the match and was asked about the Semenyo racist incident.
He explained the situation from his perspective, having been approached by Taylor.
“I didn’t notice live because a lot of people were shouting,” he said.
“But straight away, Antoine and the ref both explained the situation to both managers. To be fair, I think from the Liverpool side they have identified this person.”
The 43-year-old added: “It’s a shame that in the first game of the Premier League, a very good game of football between two teams that are fighting for their side, but playing a really good game.
“We have to start talking about things that probably we considered already from the past. But obviously they are not from the past.
“We have to continue reinforcing the messages. And it’s a big shame. It’s a big shame because the end most of the news will be about this thing. And they have to be about the thing because obviously something that still is a big problem, not just in football, but overall and also in football.
“We should be talking about what a good game it has been. Two teams playing well in the first game of the season. And probably we’ll be talking about other things.”
“I’m more angry, to be honest. Shocked. I said to the referee, I want him [the fan] removed immediately, but the ref said we had to go through the process and the police would sort it.
“To be fair, the Liverpool players were very supportive as well to Antoine. I think it was handled in the right way. But yeah, so angry.
“I’ve just been speaking to some of the lads in there, and I don’t know what else we can do. We’ve been doing it [taking the knee] for a long time now, and I just don’t know what to say anymore.
“We just feel for Ant and that he’s had to take that tonight. It’s just shocking.”
Reacting to Smith’s interview, one fan on Twitter wrote: “Incredible interview this from Adam Smith.”
A second said: “Adam Smith really good on the Semenyo incident. Spoke really well.”
A third agreed: “Adam Smith spoke really well under difficult circumstances there. Fair play to him.”
And a fourth wrote: “Really powerful interview from Adam Smith.”
Liverpool release statement on alleged Semenyo racist abuse
After full-time at Anfield, Liverpool released a statement regarding the incident on their social media channels.
The statement reads: “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.”
The alleged incident occurred just under two days after Tottenham forward Mathys Tel received racist abuse online after he missed a penalty in his side’s UEFA Super Cup shootout defeat to PSG.
Spurs boss Thomas Frank commented on Friday: “It’s terrible, what happened to Mathys. We’re doing all we can to support him. He’s a strong person, and hopefully with the support of family and friends, and us, he’ll get through it.
“There’s no real Tottenham supporter that would do that [the racist abuse]. The real Tottenham supporters that you’ll see tomorrow, at the stadium, they’ll back him. In tough times, we step up together, and I expect the fans to give him a really, really, really big cheer tomorrow.”
The first game of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign wast stopped in the first half following an alleged racist comment.
Champions Liverpool hosted Bournemouth in the opener at Anfield on Friday night in what was an an entertaining back and forth contest.
But there was a halt in play close to the half hour mark as Anthony Taylor paused the game when Liverpool won a corner before heading towards the touchline to communicate with both Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola.
After an initial period of confusion, viewers watching on Sky Sports were then informed by commentator Peter Drury that Taylor was speaking to the managers and his fourth official after a racist remark from the crowd was reported by Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
Stewards were also involved in the conversations.
“I am told via the Premier League Match Centre that Antoine Semenyo was the subject of a racist comment from the crowd,” Drury said.
“It was Semenyo himself who brought attention to it.”
Semenyo, who had a clash with Alexis Mac Allister after a strong battle down the right, was consoled by Iraola and former teammate Kerkez among others before the action resumed.
Sky Sports pundit condemn racist abuse to Semenyo
Discriminatory behaviour at Premier League games can result in stadium bans and legal prosecution, with fans encouraged to report abuse to the official Premier League website.
Sky Sports immediately addressed the incident when their coverage returned at half-time, with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher passionately condemning the alleged abuse.
“It overshadows what should be an amazing night,” Neville fumed.
“That boy has basically been racially abused and had to do over to the referee. It’s despicable. It’s a sorry state.”
A statement from the Premier League’s Match Centre soon followed, with a post on X stating: “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.”
After firing in the opener against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, Liverpool new boy Hugo Ekitike got off the mark in the Premier League by putting the Reds 1-0 up in the 37th minute.
He celebrated his goal with a tribute to the late Diogo Jota, who had a special ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ rendition and minute silence dedicated in his honour before the game.
They also rose in applause in the 20th minute to remember the Portuguese forward.
Liverpool fans concurred with Jamie Carragher’s assessment of one of their player’s shaky showing in the Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Sunday.
The Premier League champions found themselves 2-0 up courtesy of a debut goal from Hugo Ekitike and a strike from Cody Gakpo, before Antoine Semenyo pulled the Cherries level with two fine goals after reporting a racist comment from a member of the crowd in the first half.
Federico Chiesa came off the bench to score put Liverpool with a glorious finish for his first Premier League goal in front of the Kop, before Mo Salah got his customary opening day goal.
Arne Slot’s men looked breathtaking going forward at times when Ekitike linked up with fellow new signing Florian Wirtz but as was the case in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, they were also a little suspect at the back.
Former defender Jamie Carragher was on commentary for the clash and regularly slammed defender Ibrahima Konate and his poor positional play.
The Frenchman did not cover himself in glory for either of Semenyo’s goals and Carragher described him as “all over the place” and “absolutely shocking”.
And Carragher wasn’t alone in his strong view on Konate, who is out of contract next summer and continues to be mentioned as a Real Madrid target.
One fan on X commented: “Konate is miles off it.”
A second said: “Konate should be fined his wages for that absolutely f***ing pathetic attempt at defending there wow man.”
A third fumed: “Konate needs to go, and he wants to as well.”
A fourth added: “Konate playing like he’s got a pre agreement with Madrid.”
Liverpool are lacking in centre-back options after the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen and the fact that Joe Gomez has been riddled with injuries in recent times.
However, Liverpool have been heavily linked with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi – who has a year remaining with the FA Cup winners.
It has been reported that the Merseysiders are not prepared to pay what Palace are demanding for the captain but this latest performance from Konate could well cause a rethink.
Virgin Media have released a statement after millions of viewers were hit by a major technical issue during the first half of Liverpool versus Bournemouth.
The Premier League season curtain-raiser is being broadcast live at Anfield by Sky Sports.
But towards the end of the half, Virgin Media users began to report significant graphical glitches, with the screen becoming pixellated.
The issues continued for the remainder of the half, including when Hugo Ekitike put Liverpool in front with his first Premier League.
Virgin Media initially released a statement confirming they had become aware of an issue that was affecting Sky Sports, but later updated this to reflect their entire TV service.
In response to one user on Twitter, the company stated: “We’re aware of an issue affecting TV at the moment. Sorry for any inconvenience caused and we’ll aim to resolve this as soon as possible.”
Other channels such as BBC and ITV have been affected across the Virgin service.
Sky Sports are yet to comment on the issues, which persisted in the second half.
Those viewers who were able to see the screen in full witnessed Ekitike put Liverpool 1-0 ahead on 37 minutes.
The Frenchman was played through by Alexis Mac Allister before confidently slotting the ball beyond Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
It had been a reasonably open half to that point, with Marcus Tavernier seeing a half-chance comfortably saved by Alisson just two minutes before Liverpool’s opener.
Liverpool, though, were the better side and deserved their advantage at half-time.
Cody Gakpo then made it 2-0 on 48 minutes with a fine solo run and goal.
Arne Slot gave debuts to all four of his available new outfield signings, with Ekitike joined by Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez in the starting XI.
Speaking pre-match to Sky Sports, the Dutchman indicated that he still wants at least one more signing – as well as the club completing a deal for 18-year-old Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
“I see Hugo mainly as a number nine,” he said. “That could also play from the left or together with another number nine.
“We need to have one more attacker, at least.”
The Reds have been linked with a move for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, with the Magpies reportedly targeting two signings to replace the Swede.
Craig Hope of the Daily Mail reports that Eddie Howe’s side have identified PSG striker Goncalo Ramos as a preferred option, while they are set to advance over a move for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa after the Bees agreed a £37 million deal to sign Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth.