A Liverpool fan has been arrested after Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused as he took a throw-in at Anfield.
A 47-year-old man from Liverpool has been arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence after a fan was seen being ejected from the stadium on Friday.
He has now been taken into custody to be interviewed, police said.
Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a spectator, match referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the 29th minute during the opening Premier League fixture of the season, and a 47-year-old man was ejected from the stadium.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: ‘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.’
Antoine Semenyo’s full statement
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.
To my Bournemouth teammates 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. Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play – for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.
The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together.
Semenyo went on to score two goals, including an incredible solo effort to bring the game level.
But after the game, the 25-year-old illustrated once again that it was not just inside the grounds where players face regular abuse.
Posting a screenshot of a vile racist comment left on his Instagram account, Semenyo asked: ‘When will it stop…’
Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s captain Adam Smith praised the mentality of Semenyo to remain so level-headed in the face of such adversity.
‘Totally unacceptable, shocked it happened in this day and age, it shouldn’t be happening,’ Smith told Sky Sports post-match.
‘I don’t know how Ants played on and come up with them goals. It’s just totally unacceptable, I just feel sorry for Ants. He’s down, obviously. Something needs to be done, taking a knee has had no effect.
‘To be honest, I wanted him to react because that’s what I would have done, I would have gone straight over there. But that shows what type of man he is to not react even in the moment. He reported it to the ref and to score those two goals, it shows what type of guy he is and what type of character he has, so fair play to Ants.’