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Merseyside Police have confirmed a fan was identified and removed from the stadium for racially abusing Antoine Semenyo.

The Bournemouth star also sent a message on social media following the incident, which halted the Premier League opener against Liverpool at Anfield 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 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.

"We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all."

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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.

Merseyside Police then said on Saturday morning that a 47-year-old man was removed from the ground and an investigation was under way after his identity was confirmed.

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Footage appeared to show the moment Semenyo was abused by a supporter at Anfield.

The fan was later escorted out of the stadiumCredit: X

Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, the match commander for the game, said: "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."

After the match, Semenyo took to social media to share an abusing message he'd also received online, writing in response: "When will it stop?"

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.

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Slot spoke with Semenyo after the match to offer his support to the Bouremouth starCredit: Getty

"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 2025, day one of the Premier League season.

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."

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Semenyo left Anfield stunned with two second half goalsCredit: Getty

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

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.

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.

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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

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.

"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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