Football fans around the world were reminded on Friday night that racism in the sport is far from a relic of the past.
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo found himself at the center of another troubling incident during the curtain-raiser against Liverpool—a match full of drama, excitement, and unfortunately, moments of shocking abuse.
A Match Marred by Abuse
Just half an hour into the game at Anfield, the match had to be paused when a Liverpool supporter allegedly racially abused Semenyo.
The fan was eventually escorted out, but questions remain, including whether the individual was the same person in a wheelchair seen being removed by police.
Sadly, for black players, incidents like this rarely happen in isolation.
Later that evening, Semenyo received a series of monkey emojis on Instagram from an anonymous user, prompting him to post a simple yet heart-wrenching question: “When will it stop?”
Symbolic Gestures Aren’t Enough
Even with gestures like anti-racism t-shirts and players taking a knee, the impact can feel diluted against the persistence of abuse.
The problem isn’t just one isolated fan or one online troll—it’s a systemic issue that continues to surface despite campaigns and awareness efforts.
A Broader Pattern Across Football
This latest incident came shortly after Tottenham’s Mathys Tel faced racial abuse for missing a penalty against PSG, underscoring a harsh reality: black players face abuse every week.
Kick It Out, the UK’s leading anti-racism organization in football, reminded fans that this pattern of abuse is ongoing, highlighting the broader societal problem.
Alarming Statistics
The Premier League has tried to put these issues into context, noting a decline in online racist abuse year on year.
However, between 2020 and now, more than 3,000 cases have been investigated, and Kick It Out’s data indicates record levels of broader discrimination in the 2024-25 season.
Despite progress in some areas, the problem persists, forcing us to discuss racism even during games of breathtaking football drama.
Semenyo’s Response on the Pitch
Amid the abuse, Semenyo responded with remarkable professionalism and skill, scoring two goals, including a beautifully crafted equalizer.
While it might be tempting to say that scoring goals was the perfect response, it’s crucial to remember that facing abuse because of skin color should never be part of a player’s job.
His performance showed character, but the responsibility for tackling racism lies elsewhere—higher up in football governance.
Rethinking Anti-Racism Measures
Referee Anthony Taylor followed protocol during the match, informing managers of the abuse.
The current steps in dealing with such incidents include notifying managers, potentially removing players from the pitch, and ultimately abandoning the match if abuse continues.
While these steps were sufficient on Friday, some argue it may be time to consider more immediate action—perhaps removing players at the first sign of abuse to force a pause and reflection among those responsible.
Drastic measures might finally make some offenders think twice.
The Road Ahead
Football has made strides against racism, but Antoine Semenyo’s experience is a stark reminder that progress is still painfully slow.
The challenge now is to explore new, bolder ways to protect players and ensure that no one has to question in 2025 whether they will be subjected to abuse simply for playing the game they love.
