LIVERPOOL’S clash against Bournemouth was suspended after Antoine Semenyo accused a fan of racist abuse.
The game came to a halt after half an hour as Semenyo ran to the touchline with referee Anthony Taylor.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola were both seen in talks with the official as another made notes on a pad.
Semenyo was seen arguing with a fan as he was about to take a throw-in.
The winger then immediately reported an alleged racist incident to Taylor, with the referee then pausing the match to formally report it in accordance with the Premier League’s anti-discrimination protocol.
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.”
The game was halted for several minutes as players took on water while Semenyo’s accusation was formally reported.
Taylor soon blew his whistle to restart the clash.
And Liverpool ended up drawing first blood as they went ahead through new striker Hugo Ekitike.
It was a debut goal for the Frenchman after his £69million move from Eintracht Frankfurt.
And the ace paid tribute to Jota as he flashed up the No20 with his fingers.
Liverpool then went 2-0 up minutes into the second as Cody Gakpo drove across the box before firing home.
But Semenyo himself then came out in the second half and led a Bournemouth comeback, bagging a brilliant brace to make the score 2-2.
However, Federico Chiesa struck a late volley to have the Reds breathing a sigh of relief before Salah made the win safe in stoppage time with the fourth.
Slot was then seen talking to Semenyo at full-time as he appeared to offer the Cherries star his support.
Teammate Adam Smith admitted Bournemouth were shocked by the incident.
He said: “I’m kind of in shock to be honest that it happened. In this day and age, it shouldn’t be happening.
“I don’t know how Ant’s played on to be honest, and come up with those goals. It’s totally unacceptable.
“He’s a little bit down obviously. We’ll support him in there and hopefully he’ll be OK.
“I wanted him to react, because that’s what I would have done, I would have gone straight over there.
“It shows what type of man he is. To come up with them goals it shows what type of character he is.”
“To be fair the Liverpool players were very supportive as well towards Antoine and the rest of the team. It was handled in the right way but…so angry.”
Liverpool also released a statement after the game.
It read: “Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth.
“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.”
Late on Friday night, Merseyside Police released a statement confirming that the fan had been ejected from Anfield and an investigation was taking place into the incident.
It read: “We can confirm a 47-year-old man has been ejected from Anfield Stadium following reports of racist abuse directed towards the Bournemouth player Antoine Semenyo at this evening’s opening game of the season between Liverpool and Bournemouth.
“An investigation is underway after the man’s identity was confirmed and he was removed from the ground. “
The match commander, Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, commented: “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.
“There is no place for racism and it is vital that anyone who witnesses such an offence reports it to stewards, or the police immediately, so we can take the necessary action like we did this evening.
“As with all matches, we work very closely with both Liverpool and Everton FC to ensure the safety of the public, and the players.”
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