PREMIER League star Antoine Semenyo has broken his silence after he accused a fan of racially abusing him during a match yesterday.
The Bournemouth player today shared a comment he’d received from a social media user on his Instagram stories showing a string of monkey emojis under one of his photos, writing: “When will it stop…”
It comes after the Cherries’ season-opening clash with Liverpool at Anfield was briefly suspended following the incident involving a fan in a wheelchair – who was then escorted out of the stadium by cops.
Merseyside Police has since confirmed it is investigating the allegation.
Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, the match commander for the game, said: “Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form.
“We take incidents like this very seriously, and in cases like this we will be proactively seeking football banning orders, with the club, against those responsible.”
Ghanaian winger Semenyo, 25, was seen arguing with a fan as he was about to take a throw-in.
He then immediately reported an alleged racist incident to Anthony Taylor, with the referee pausing the match at 0-0 in the 29th minute to formally report it in accordance with the league’s anti-discrimination protocol.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola were both seen in talks with the official as another made notes on a pad.
Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury lifted the lid on the incident as those watching at home were initially left out of the loop.
He said: “I am told by the Match Centre, the Premier League Match Centre, that Antoine Semenyo was subject to a racist comment from the crowd.
“Of which, of course, nobody on either side, or indeed anywhere, is approving. So, sympathy from Liverpool, beyond which, at this stage, nothing to report.
“What I can tell you, also, is that it was Semenyo himself who brought the referee’s attention to it.”
The Premier League Match Centre eventually released a statement minutes into the second half.
It 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.
“This is in line with the Premier League’s on-field anti-discrimination protocol. The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated.
“We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society.
“We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.”
The FA also released a statement slamming the alleged racist comment.
It said: “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.
“Incidents of this nature have no place in our game and we will work closely with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken.”
A statement from Liverpool read: “We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, it has no place in society or football.
“The club is unable to comment further as tonight’s alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully.”
Defending champions Liverpool went on to win the match 4-2 when it resumed.
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