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Antoine Semenyo reported the incident (Image: Getty)

The opening game of the new Premier League season between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth was stopped in the first half after Antoine Semenyo reported that he was the subject of racist abuse.



Referee Anthony Taylor was informed of the incident after 30 minutes, holding talks with a number of individuals before play resumed.

Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo reports racist abuse from crowd to referee as clash with Liverpool is STOPPED temporarily at Anfield	Liverpool game halted and police emerge as Antoine Semenyo reports racist comment	League opener stopped after Semenyo reports racist abuse

The official then spoke at length with both Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola to discuss what Semenyo had informed him of.

The talks then continued for a few moments before a number of players from both teams also made their way to the touchline to discuss the stoppage.

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Club captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith were then told about the stoppage, with the referee then exchanging a brief few words with Semenyo.

Play then resumed, and Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring just a few moments later.

Read more: Liverpool star pays tribute to Diogo Jota and sends message to his family

The referee spoke with both Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola (Image: Getty)

Speaking about the incident, Gary Neville told Sky Sports: “It overshadows what should be an amazing night, the first game of the Premier League season, a beautiful day, 62,000 fans in the stadium and that boy (Semenyo) has basically been racially abused and had to go over to a referee and complain about it, and it’s despicable.

“I can’t even begin to think what will be going through someone’s mind, however, it has happened, it will keep on happening and it’s a sorry state.”

Asked about the importance of a player stepping up and reporting the incident, Jamie Carragher added: “You could see when everyone was getting together, not everyone was quite sure what was going on.

He’s taking the long throws on both sides, whether it came through that, I’d seen a fan that was really close to him at that stage, but a shocking incident and rightfully reported to the referee.”

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