EPL Opener halted, Semenyo Reports Racism abuse.
During Liverpool’s Premier League season opener against Bournemouth at Anfield, the game was paused early in the first half when Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo reported experiencing racist abuse from a spectator.
Referee Anthony Taylor immediately halted play around the 28th–29th minute and conferred with both managers—Arne Slot (Liverpool) and Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth)—as well as the team captains, before the match resumed shortly afterward with an anti-discrimination message played during halftime.
Merseyside Police confirmed that a 47-year-old man was ejected from the stadium and that a criminal investigation has begun. Authorities emphasized a zero-tolerance approach towards hate crimes in football.
Despite the gravity of the incident, Semenyo displayed remarkable focus and resilience—he scored two second-half goals to bring Bournemouth back into the game, only for Liverpool to pull ahead and eventually win 4–2.
Semenyo later posted on social media: “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.” He expressed deep gratitude to teammates, opposing players, fans, and officials for their support.
Reactions from across the football community were swift and united. Kick It Out, the anti-racism organization, reaffirmed its solidarity with Semenyo and slammed the ugly persistence of racism in football.
In the post-match discussions, both managers—Slot and Iraola—condemned the incident, and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk denounced it as a disgrace, stressing the need for ongoing education to prevent such behavior.
The Premier League and Football Association echoed this stance, pledging full cooperation with investigations and reaffirming their commitment to eradicating discrimination.
Tags: Bournemouth Epl Liverpool Fc
