A man has been arrested over alleged racist abuse directed at footballer Antoine Semenyo on Friday night, Merseyside Police have confirmed.
The incident is reported to have happened in the 28th minute of Liverpool's opening Preimer League match against Bournemouth at Anfield.
Semenyo immediately reported the racial abuse to referee Anthony Taylor, who halted the match to speak to both coaches on the touchline.
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Antoine Semenyo reported that he was racially abused during Liverpool vs Bournemouth
| GETTYEventually the match resumed and the fan was kicked out of the stadium with a full investigation launched soon after.
And now it has been announced that a man has been arrested in connection with the reports of racist abuse.
A statement from Merseyside Police read: "We have arrested a man following reports racist abuse was directed towards Bournemouth player Antoine Semenyo during his team’s Premier League fixture versus Liverpool at Anfield on Friday 15 August.
"The suspect’s identity was confirmed and he was removed from the ground following the report.
"A 47-year-old man from Liverpool has today (Saturday 16 August) been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. He has been taken into custody to be interviewed."
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Semenyo has since spoken out on the incident and revealed that he was touched by the support shown to him by Liverpool players.
"Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever," the 25-year-old wrote on social media.
"Not because of one person's words, but because of how the entire football family stood together.
"To my Bournemouth team-mates who supported me in that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials who handled it professionally - thank you. Football showed its best side when it mattered most."
Antoine Semenyo has since responded after alleged racist abuse was directed at him
| REUTERSLiverpool went on to win the match in a six-goal thriller where the Reds took the lead through debutant Hugo Ekitike before Cody Gakpo made it two after half-time.
In remarkable scenes, Semenyo hauled Bournemouth level with two excellent goals on the counter attack.
But Liverpool struck late through Federico Chiesa, who made just six league appearances last season, before Mohamed Salah wrapped up the result as the Reds won 4-2.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was furious after the match, saying: “I didn’t notice live because a lot of people [were] shouting.
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Antoine Semenyo went on to score twice against Liverpool as they lost 4-2
|GETTY
“But straight away, Antoine and the ref both explained the situation to both managers.
“To be fair, I think from the Liverpool side they have identified this person. It is a shame that in the first game of the Premier League, a very good game of football between two teams that played a very good game, we have to start talking about things that were probably considered from the past.
“Obviously, they are not from the past, but we have to continue reinforcing the messages, and it’s a big shame because in the end, most of the news will be about this thing, because obviously it is still something that is still a big problem - overall, not just in football.
“We should be talking about what a good game it has been, two teams playing well in the first game of the season, but probably we will be talking about other things.”