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Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has taken to social media to thank those who dealt with the alleged racist abuse that was directed at him during the Premier League opener against Liverpool.
Goals from Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and Mohamed Salah saw Liverpool pick up the three points in an entertaining game at Anfield. But the match was temporarily halted approaching the hour mark after Semenyo made a complaint.
The 25-year-old, who signed a new contract with Bournemouth this summer, alerted the officials to the incident. The game was stopped, a 47-year-old man was later removed from the stadium, and Merseyside Police are now investigating.
"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," Semenyo wrote on Instagram.
"To my @afcb teammates who supported me in that moment, to the @liverpoolfc players and fans who showed their true character, to the @premierleague officials who handled it professionally — thank you. Football showed its best side when it mattered most.
"Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play — for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.
"The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together."
Liverpool and the Premier League both issued statements on the incident, while Arne Slot spoke about it during his post-match press conference.
"I've had loads of conversations with him about it," Virgil van Dijk then told reporters after the game. "First and foremost, I wanted to know what happened. I am glad the authorities are dealing with it all. That is the main thing.
"But 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.
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"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.
"I can say these things that it shouldn't happen, but unfortunately it does, and it is an absolute disgrace in my eyes.
"First and foremost, these things should never happen in the world, not only football. I am happy to say I don't see it happening up until today actually and that is why I say that it is a disgrace that it could happen."
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