A man arrested after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused at Anfield has been hit with a blanket ban from every football stadium in the UK.
The incident unfolded during Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday, which the Reds won 4-2.
Referee Anthony Taylor halted play in the 29th minute after Semenyo alerted officials to the abuse coming from the stands.
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The supporter in question was quickly ejected from the stadium as both sets of players and managers gathered by the dugouts.
A man arrested after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused at Anfield has been hit with a blanket ban from every football stadium in the UK
| GETTYAn anti-discrimination announcement was then read out to the Anfield crowd, while police later entered the referee’s room at half-time to take statements.
Semenyo, 25, later reflected on the ordeal in a powerful message posted on X.
“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,” the Ghanaian international wrote.
He thanked his team-mates, Liverpool players and fans “who showed their true character”, as well as Premier League officials “who handled it professionally."
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The following day, Merseyside Police confirmed they had arrested a 47-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.
He has since been released on bail, with strict conditions that include not attending any regulated football match in the UK and staying at least one mile away from any stadium.
Police also confirmed their investigation remains ongoing.
Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, match commander for the Liverpool v Bournemouth fixture, issued a stern warning.
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Antoine Semenyo reported that he was racially abused during Liverpool vs Bournemouth on Friday
| GETTY“Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form,” he said.
“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.”
He also urged witnesses of similar incidents to come forward immediately.
Liverpool Football Club released a statement making clear its stance, reiterating that racism and discrimination in any form is unacceptable.
Despite the incident, Semenyo produced an inspiring response on the pitch.
The forward struck twice in the second half to drag Bournemouth back from two goals down, although Liverpool eventually prevailed 4-2.
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk was left appalled by what had happened, describing it as a 'disgrace'.
The Dutch defender said such behaviour reflected a deeper societal problem that football alone could not solve.
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Antoine Semenyo scored twice for Bournemouth against Liverpool as the defending champions won their Premier League opener | REUTERSHe said: “What else can we do? Because this is the very odd one (case) that has managed to say something that is obviously a disgrace. The only thing we can do is deal with it by dealing with him personally and try to educate the next generation.”
He added: “These things shouldn’t happen but unfortunately it does and it is an absolute disgrace in my eyes.
"Racism is not of this world in my opinion, but if we are to be realistic, unfortunately, it still exists and that is the painful side of it. We have to deal with it in the here and now.”