Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth was abandoned after 28 minutes following allegations of racist abuse against Antoine Semenyo; the 47-year-old was sent off at Anfield and is now in custody, Merseyside Police have said.
Pictured: Antoine Semenyo scored twice for Bournemouth against Liverpool on Friday.
Merseyside Police said a 47-year-old Liverpool man was arrested after Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo reported racial abuse he received during the opening game of the Premier League season.
Police confirmed the man was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of racially aggravated public order and remanded in custody for questioning.
Semenyo reported the racist abuse to referee Anthony Taylor, who suspended play after 29 minutes on Friday and the 47-year-old was sent off at Anfield.
Semenyo was also subjected to racist abuse on Instagram on Friday night, with the 25-year-old striker posting some of it on his story with the caption: “When will this stop?”
Meta has told Sky Sports News it has launched an investigation, with the social network reportedly removing comments and blocking accounts that break its rules.
Semenyo said the response to the incident showed football at its best “at a crucial moment”. The incident was roundly condemned by both teams and the Premier League announced a full investigation.
On Saturday, Semenyo, who scored twice as Liverpool cruised to a 4-2 win, wrote on social media: “Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever – not because of one man's words but because of how the whole football family came together.”
“To my Bournemouth team-mates who supported me at that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League referees who handled it professionally – thank you. Football was at its best when it mattered most.”
“Scoring those two goals, I felt like I was speaking the only language that really matters on the pitch. That's why I play – for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.”
“The overwhelming amount of support from around the football world reminds me why I love this sport. We continue to move forward together.”
How the match was stopped after the incident
Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola were speaking to referee Taylor when the incident at Anfield occurred which forced the game to be abandoned.
“I have been advised by the Premier League Match Centre that Antoine Semenyo has been the victim of racist comments from fans,” Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury said at the time.
Sky Sports' Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher described the incident as “disgusting”, with Neville saying: “It puts a damper on what should have been a fantastic night; the first day of the Premier League season, a great day, and this guy [reported] being racially abused.”
“It's disgusting. But it happened. It will continue to happen. It's a sad state of affairs.”
Van Dijk's support for Semenyo
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has said football must continue to educate the next generation about racism.
“The only thing we can do is address this on a personal level and try to educate the next generation,” Van Dijk said. “That's the only way I think we can try to eradicate this.”
“I can't believe it. Things like this shouldn't happen, but unfortunately they do, and it's a real disgrace in my eyes.
“First of all, these things should never happen in the world, not only in football. But in general, in my opinion, racism is something different, but unfortunately it still exists, and this is the painful side of it.”
“We need to resolve this here and now.”
Van Dijk expressed his support for Semenyo, adding: “I will be there for Antoine whenever he needs it and we as a club are prepared to deal with this in the best possible way because this should not have happened.”
“But we fully support him.”
Merseyside Police said after the game: “Merseyside Police will not tolerate crime at
Sourse: skysports.com
