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Merseyside Police confirm they have arrested a man over the racial abuse of Antoine Semenyo at Anfield.

The Bournemouth star has issued a strong statement on social media following the incident, which halted the Premier League opener against Liverpool on Friday night.

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Semenyo reported racial abuse during the match at AnfieldCredit: Getty

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The Premier League opener was paused amid grim scenesCredit: Getty

A night that was meant to celebrate the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, and remember Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, will instead be remembered by a shocking moment in the first-half.

The match was paused by referee Anthony Taylor in the 29th minute after Semenyo reported he had been racially abused by a supporter in the stands.

Taylor spoke to both Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola on the touchline, with captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith also being called upon.

The suspect was identified and removed from the stadium, and Merseyside Police have now confirmed they have made an arrest.

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A statement read: "A 47-year-old man from Liverpool has today (Saturday 16 August) been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.

He has been taken into custody to be interviewed."

Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, the match commander for the game, added: "Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form.

"We take incidents like this very seriously, and in cases like this we will be proactively seeking football banning orders, with the club, against those responsible."

The match resumed after a short break, and the Premier League confirmed the reported abuse in a strong mid-match statement.

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"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.

The fan was later escorted out of the stadiumCredit: X

The incident overshadowed the first game of the new Premier League season, as they defending champions secured a 4-2 win to deny a spirited Bournemouth comeback - with Semenyo scoring both of the Cherries' goals after the incident occurred.

After the game, Semenyo took to his Instagram story and exposed a string of monkey emojis posted by a social media user under one of his previous posts, alongside the caption: "When will it stop?"

The Cherries star later posted a lengthy statement thanking his teammates as well as the Liverpool players for their support, as well as 'the fans that showed their true character'.

"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 teammates 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.

We keep moving forward, together."

Liverpool released a statement after full-time, saying: "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.

I just feel for Ant...shocking."

The Football Association also said: "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.

"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."

talkSPORT's Adrian Durham said on commentary: "Antoine Semenyo, racially abused by a member of the crowd at Anfield here tonight.

It's simply, totally and utterly unacceptable.

"And actually for me, it's spoiled what's been an emotional evening and but what has been a brilliant first half."

Liverpool felt aggrieved early on in the thrilling Premier League opener when Marcos Senesi escaped a red card for a handball.

But Hugo Ekitike scored a debut goal to put the hosts ahead with eight minutes left in the first half.

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Chiesa and Salah scored late on to rescue an opening day win for LiverpoolCredit: Getty

He then assisted Cody Gakpo for the second as visitors Bournemouth struggled to find a response to the opener.

However, the deficit was halved when Semenyo pulled a goal back for the Cherries with his finish from a quick counter-attack.

Semenyo then scored an excellent second with a low finish into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

But with two minutes on the clock, Federico Chiesa produced a fine strike on the volley to score his first Premier League goal.

And then Mohamed Salah made it 4-2 in stoppage-time as defending Premier League champions Liverpool avoided a shock result on the opening weekend.

But Gary Neville admitted the incident in the first half with Semenyo completely ruined the occasion and final result, as the Manchester United legend issued a strong message.

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The Kop paid a touching tribute to Jota pre-match, but pundits admitted the night was ruined by the Semenyo incidentCredit: Getty

"It overshadows what should be an amazing night," he said on Sky.

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"First game of the Premier League season, a beautiful day, 62,000 fans in the stadium and that boy [Semenyo] basically has been racially abused and has had to go over to a referee to complain about it.

"I can't even begin to think what would be going through someone's mind, however it's happened and it'll keep on happening and it's a sorry state."


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