The Premier League is to launch a full investigation after Friday night’s curtain-raiser between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield was briefly halted when visiting forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a spectator.
Match referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the 29th minute and spoke with Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his Bournemouth counterpart Andoni Iraola before the respective captains, Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith, were called over to the dugouts.
It is understood police officers went into the referee’s room at half-time, while an anti-discrimination message was read out to the crowd.
A Premier League statement read: “Tonight’s match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.
RM Block
[ Chiesa and Salah’s late show earns Liverpool dramatic win against BournemouthOpens in new window ]
“This is in line with the Premier League’s on-field anti-discrimination protocol. The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs.
“Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.”
On Saturday, Merseyside Police confirmed a 47-year-old man from Liverpool, who had been ejected from the stadium following the incident, had been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and taken into custody to be interviewed.
Semenyo went on to score twice in the second half to help bring Bournemouth back from two goals down before Liverpool went on to win 4-2.
On Saturday afternoon, the forward took to social media to thank his team-mates, Liverpool, match officials and the “entire football family” for their support.
“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 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.”
He added: “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.”
The incident comes two days after Tottenham’s Mathys Tel received racist abuse online after missing a penalty in his side’s Uefa Super Cup win against Paris St Germain.
The FA said it was “concerned” about the allegation of racism towards Semenyo, adding it would ensure “appropriate action” is taken.
“We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd, which was reported to the match officials during the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Bournemouth,” a statement from the association said.
“Incidents of this nature have no place in our game and we will work closely with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken.”
Liverpool also issued a statement following the game: “Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth.
“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 incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully.”
