LIVERPOOL, England – Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth was temporarily suspended on Friday after visiting forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a spectator.
Match Stopped as Referee Addresses Incident
In the 29th minute, referee Anthony Taylor halted play during a Liverpool corner, calling both managers—Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola—to the touchline. Captains Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) and Adam Smith (Bournemouth) were also consulted before the game resumed after a four-minute delay.
At halftime, an anti-discrimination message was read aloud to the Anfield crowd. Despite the disruption, Semenyo—who later scored twice—helped Bournemouth briefly level before Liverpool secured a 4-2 win with a late surge.
Authorities Launch Investigation
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Merseyside Police ejected a 47-year-old man from the stadium and are investigating the incident.
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The Football Association (FA) condemned the alleged abuse, vowing to work with clubs and authorities to take action.
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Liverpool FC pledged full cooperation with the police probe.
Strong Condemnation from Officials & Managers
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Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton (Merseyside Police):
“We do not tolerate hate crime. We will pursue football banning orders against those responsible.” -
Liverpool’s Arne Slot:
“This should never happen in football, especially not at Anfield.” -
Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola:
“It’s a shame these incidents persist. A great game was overshadowed.”
Broader Context of Racism in Football
The incident follows Tottenham’s Mathys Tel facing racist abuse online after missing a penalty in the UEFA Super Cup earlier this week. Football authorities continue to grapple with recurring discrimination issues in stadiums and on social media.
Next Steps:
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Police investigation ongoing, with potential banning orders for the offender.
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FA reviewing protocols to combat racism in stadiums.
The football world remains united against discrimination, but Friday’s events highlight the persistent challenges in eradicating it from the sport.
