LIVERPOOL — Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo said the racist abuse he suffered from a supporter at Anfield during Friday’s Premier League season opener against Liverpool is something that “will stay with me forever.”
The 25-year-old Ghana international, however, also praised the way players, fans, and officials responded, saying football “showed its best side when it mattered most.”
The incident occurred in the first half of Liverpool’s 4-2 victory, when play was briefly halted. A 47-year-old man was ejected from the stadium, and police have launched an investigation.
Despite the abuse, Semenyo responded on the pitch by scoring two goals, helping Bournemouth recover from 2-0 down before Liverpool sealed the win with two late strikes.
“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,” Semenyo wrote on social media.
He thanked his Bournemouth teammates, Liverpool players and fans, and Premier League officials for their support, adding:
“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 team-mates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk strongly condemned the incident, calling it “a disgrace.” He said the focus must be on education to eradicate racism from football.
“These things should never happen in the world, not only in football,” Van Dijk said. “We are here for Antoine, and as a club we will deal with it in the best way possible.”
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