9 hours ago
63
Merseyside Police have issued an update after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported that he was racially abused at Anfield during the opening Premier League game of the new season.
A 47-year-old man was escorted out of the stadium during the match, which Liverpool won 4-2 thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah. Semenyo netted twice in the second half to level the game at two apiece.
The alleged perpetrator was later arrested. He has now been bailed with conditions, including not attending any regulated soccer match in the UK, and not going within a mile of a designated soccer stadium.
The investigation is ongoing. Liverpool will continue to assist and issued a statement strongly condemning all forms of abuse shortly after the incident took place.
"Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against Bournemouth," an official statement read at the time.
"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 is incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully."
"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 posted on social media on Saturday.
"To my Bournemouth team-mates who supported me in that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League 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 team-mates, 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."
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also offered to support Semenyo in any way he could. "I've had loads of conversations with him about it," Van Dijk 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.
"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) ·