The Premier League has said it will launch a full investigation after Liverpool's curtain-raiser against Bournemouth at Anfield was halted when visiting forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a spectator.

Match referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the 29th minute and spoke with managers Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola before respective captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith were called over to the dug-outs.

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A Premier League statement read: "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.

Police investigate alleged racist abuse at Anfield as Liverpool release statement	League opener stopped after Semenyo reports racist abuse	League opener halted after Semenyo reports racist abuse

The Football Association said it was "concerned" about the allegation of racism towards Semenyo and that it would ensure "appropriate action" would be taken.



The incident comes two days after Tottenham's Mathys Tel received racist abuse online

A statement from the FA read: "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.

After the incident, Semenyo scored twice in the second half to help bring Bournemouth back from two goals down at Anfield before Liverpool went on to eventually win the contest 4-2.

Liverpool issued a statement which read: "Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth.


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