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A 47-year-old Liverpool man was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during the Premier League season opener between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 16, 2025. The incident occurred in the 28th–30th minute of the match when Semenyo reported the abuse to referee Anthony Taylor, prompting a temporary stoppage of the game. An anti-discrimination message was delivered to the crowd, and the alleged offender was ejected from the stadium^[1][2][3][4].

The man was taken into custody and later released on conditional bail with prohibitions from attending any regulated football matches in the UK or approaching within one mile of any football stadium while inquiries continue^[2][3]. The Premier League has launched a full investigation into the incident, emphasizing its commitment to tackling racism, and both Liverpool and Bournemouth condemned the abuse^[1][2][4].

Antoine Semenyo responded to the abuse by scoring two goals in the second half, helping Bournemouth come back from two goals down before Liverpool ultimately won 4-2. Semenyo praised the unity shown by players, officials, and fans from both teams during and after the incident. In an Instagram post, he thanked his teammates, Liverpool players and supporters, and Premier League officials for their support, saying the football community showed its best side during the episode. He also expressed that football remains a game for inclusivity and shared how the overwhelming messages of support reinforced his love for the sport^[1][3][4].

Following the match, Semenyo was subjected to further racist abuse on social media, which is under investigation by Meta, with some abusive accounts being removed or disabled^[2]. This incident follows another recent case of racial abuse in football, involving Tottenham Hotspur’s Mathys Tel, highlighting ongoing challenges in the sport against discrimination^[2][3].

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