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Antoine Semenyo has called on the soccer authorities to instil tougher measures on those found guilty of committing racist actions, in the wake of last Friday’s alleged racist insult at Anfield.
The Bournemouth winger was the subject of an alleged slur from a Liverpool supporter in the 28th minute of the Premier League’s opening fixture, on a night when supporters also gathered to mourn the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
Instead, another ugly incident overshadowed the game, with Semenyo making referee Anthony Taylor aware of the alleged racist comment, resulting in a brief stoppage as both head coaches and sets of players were informed.
“I wasn't going to hide away,” the 25-year-old told ITV News in his first interview since the events of last week. “The referee had to know what was going on and I feel like if I didn’t say anything it would have played on my mind.”
A 47-year-old man from Liverpool has since been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and was removed from the ground.
But Semenyo wants tougher punishments to be handed down from the sport’s authorities for those found guilty of making racist comments
“It's mind-boggling to be honest,” he explained. “I feel like the punishment isn't enough when things like this happen. I feel like people do get away with it.
“It could be jail time, it could be banned from stadiums for a lifetime, it could be anything along the lines of that, but I feel like there has to be something else.
“It was pretty sad to hear to be honest,” he added. “I feel like, in this day and age, it just doesn't make sense and we want to know why it keeps happening. It was pretty painful to hear.”
Semenyo also revealed he has been sent further racist messages online since last Friday’s game.
“I got back on the coach and I was just going through my messages,” said the Bournemouth attacker.
“I wanted to reply back to family and friends, to be honest, and then it obviously popped across the screen on Instagram, I was getting racially abused as well, and it's just like straight after the game that's happened.
“Someone has felt the need to come online and do that, so that made me angry, to be honest. Why would you want to do that?”
Speaking after last week’s game, Virgil van Dijk said Liverpool will offer Semenyo all the support he needs.
“We stand with him completely and I think every one of you here would say the same thing: these things can't happen. So anything he needs for support, I am here for him.
“We are all here for him, to be honest but the club as well and they are dealing with it in the right way, I am fully confident about that. Especially the authorities have to deal with it now and like I said these things can't happen, whatsoever.”
English (US) ·