The excitement of the new Premier League season at Anfield was marred by a deeply troubling incident involving Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.
What should have been a celebratory return to top-flight football turned into a moment of outrage when Semenyo was reportedly targeted with vile racist abuse by a fan.
Incident Unfolds During Early Game Action
The incident occurred just 28 minutes into the match as Semenyo prepared to take a throw-in.
He appeared to be heckled by a Liverpool supporter, prompting him to alert referee Anthony Taylor.
The game was temporarily paused while officials, including Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and Liverpool manager Arne Slot, discussed the situation.
Play resumed in the 31st minute after the fan, allegedly in a wheelchair in the bottom row of the Main Stand, was escorted out of the stadium by police.
Eyewitness Account From the Stands
Daily Mail Sport’s Football Editor, Ian Ladyman, reported from the crowd, describing the incident: “Two or three minutes before the stoppage I did see Semenyo turn to look at a guy seated in a wheelchair at the front of the Main Stand who was saying something to him quite forcibly. T
he look on the Bournemouth player’s face said all you needed to know.”
Goals Continue Amid the Controversy
Despite the shocking event, the game continued with Liverpool taking the lead shortly afterward.
Hugo Ekitike, the new signing, scored his second goal in as many matches to make it 1-0.
Champions Liverpool added a second just after the break when Cody Gakpo weaved through the defense to score in the 49th minute.
Semenyo responded for Bournemouth in the 64th minute, pulling one back to halve the deficit.
Strong Reactions From Fans and Media
The incident sparked immediate outrage on social media.
Fans condemned the abuse, emphasizing that racism has no place in football.
One fan wrote, “New season, same story. There honestly has to be serious repercussions for things like this.
Just unacceptable.” Another commented, “30 minutes into the new season. Disgraceful. This does not look good at all.”
A third wrote, “A third new season and still the same problems. Why can’t the Premier League ban these racists from coming to the stadium?”
Pundits Speak Out Against Racism
During the broadcast, football legends Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher voiced their disgust.
Neville said, “It overshadows what should be an amazing night, first game of the Premier League season. That boy has basically been racially abused and had to complain about it.
It’s despicable. I can’t even think what would be going through someone’s mind to say that.”
Carragher added, “The amount of campaigns we have, kick racism out, all over the world—it’s shocking to see an incident like that.
A shocking incident and rightly reported to the referee.”
League Sends Anti-Discrimination Message
At half-time, an anti-discrimination message was read to the crowd inside Anfield, reinforcing the Premier League’s commitment to eradicating racism from football.
Despite the positive gesture, fans and players alike hope stronger measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
