Antoine Semenyo was reportedly the subject of vile racist abuse from a fan during Bournemouth’s Premier League opener against Liverpool.
The Cherries forward was preparing to take a throw-in before he appeared to be heckled by a Liverpool fan just 28 minutes into the affair at Anfield.
Semenyo brought the incident to the attention of referee Anthony Taylor, and the match was promptly paused temporarily.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was seen in discussion with officials and Liverpool manager Arne Slot, before play resumed in the 31st minute.
It has been alleged that the person who directed the abuse at Semenyo was a Liverpool fan sitting in a wheelchair in the bottom row of Anfield’s Main Stand.
The supporter was then escorted out of the stands by police.
Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo was reportedly the subject of racist abuse vs Liverpool
The incident occurred around the 30th minute while the forward prepared to take a throw-in
Five minutes after the incident, the Reds took the lead through Hugo Ekitike – the new signing’s second goal in as many games, having also netted in Liverpool’s FA Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace last week.
At half-time, an anti-discrimination message was read out to the crowd inside Anfield.
Shortly after, Cody Gakpo added a second for the champions, weaving his way through defenders to make it 2-0 in the 49th minute.
Semenyo hit back with a goal of his own, halving Bournemouth’s deficit on 64 minutes.
In poetic fashion, he secured his brace 13 minutes later to level the game and send the Cherries’ away end into ruptures.
Daily Mail Sport’s Football Editor, Ian Ladyman, reported from the crowd: ‘Two or three minutes before the stoppage I did see Semenyo turn to look at a guy seated in a wheelchair at the front of the Main Stand who was saying something to him quite forcibly.
‘The look on the Bournemouth player’s face said all you needed to know.’
The Premier League released on official statement during the game, taking to their Match Centre account on X.
Play was temporarily paused while both teams’ managers consulted referee Anthony Taylor
Football fans quickly took to social media to share their contempt towards the incident
It read: ‘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.
Football fans quickly took to social media to share their contempt towards the incident, stressing that racism has no place in the game.
One fan wrote on X: ‘New season same story . There honestly has to serious repercussions for things like this . Just unacceptable…’
Another commented: ’30 Mins into the new season. Disgraceful. This does not look good at all.’
A third said: ‘A third New season and still the same problems, why can’t the prem ban these racists from coming to the stadium.’
At half-time, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher also expressed disdain towards the incident.
The 25-year-old scored a second-half brace to cancel out Liverpool’s two opening goals
Neville said: ‘It overshadows what should be an amazing night, first game of the Premier League season.
‘That boy [Semenyo] has basically been racially abused and had to complain about it. It’s despicable. I can’t even think what would be going through someone’s mind [to say that].
Carragher added: ‘The amount of campaign we have, kick racism out, all over the world, it’s shocking to see an incident like that.
‘A shocking incident and rightly reported to the referee.’