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Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo faced racist abuse during the 2025-26 Premier League opener against Liverpool. Despite this, he scored twice and praised the community’s support.
AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. (AFP Photo)
Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has opened up on dealing with alleged racist abuse during the opening game of the 2025-26 Premier League against champions Liverpool at Anfield. He said the night will ‘stay with me forever’ because of how the football fraternity stood together in support of him and against racism. He added that the sport showed its ‘best side’ on the night and reminded him of his love for football.
At the half-hour mark in the game, a Liverpool fan in a wheelchair approached and aggressively gestured towards the Ghanaian while he was taking a long throw-in and hurled the abuse. Semenyo informed referee Anthony Taylor of the incident, and the game was briefly halted, with both managers informed. The fan was eventually removed from the ground by the police, and an investigation is now underway.
Semenyo not only continued in the face of adversity but went on to score twice in the second half to bring the Cherries level until late strikes by Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah overturned it into a 4-2 win for Liverpool. He has received widespread support and love on social media.
“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,” he wrote on X.
“To my @afcbournemouth teammates who supported me in that moment, to the @LiverpoolFC players and fans who showed their true character, to the @premierleague officials who handled it professionally – thank you. Football showed its best side when it mattered most.
Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play – for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be. The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together. 🙏🏾⚽” Semenyo added.
The Premier League has a strict policy against racism, and if such accusations are established, fans face bans from stadiums, which are often for life.
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