Semenyo Breaks Silence After Facing Racial Abuse For Second Time After Liverpool Game
- Antoine Semenyo was subjected to racial abuse from a Liverpool supporter during Bournemouth’s Premier League opener
- The Ghanaian striker, undeterred by the incident, still managed to score twice in his side’s loss to the defending champions
- The episode has sparked outrage online, with many fans demanding tougher sanctions against offenders
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Ghana international Antoine Semenyo has spoken out after being racially abused for the second time after Bournemouth’s 4-2 defeat to Liverpool.
The Premier League curtain-raiser was briefly halted in the first half when Semenyo reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor.
The abuse reportedly from a Liverpool fan occurred when the Black Stars striker was effecting a throw-in.
Source: Getty Images
Merseyside Police were called onto the pitch before play resumed, with the forward receiving support from his Bournemouth teammates and Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez, his former colleague at the Cherries.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola also engaged with on-site security following the incident.
Semenyo responded on the pitch by scoring twice in the second half to level the game at 2-2.
Unfortunately, the goals were not enough to save his side from a 4-2 defeat to Liverpool at the end of the contest.
Semenyo suffers racist abuse again
Semenyo reported an incident of alleged racism during Bournemouth’s Premier League clash with Liverpool, and the abuse did not stop there.
After the match, the forward revealed further racist messages he had received on Instagram.
He shared a screenshot of one of the offensive comments on his Instagram story, adding his own response after the game.
“When will it stop?”
How can racism be stopped?
Meanwhile, former Ghana youth star Awudu Issaka has shared his thoughts on racism in football, insisting that the issue has persisted for decades because strong measures have not been taken.
Speaking to YEN.com.gh, Issaka stressed that stricter punishments are needed to force clubs and fans to change their behavior.
“Racism in football will never stop because it didn’t start today, and nothing serious has been done about it,” he said.
“If clubs are deducted points or heavily fined whenever their supporters racially abuse opposing players, then we will start to see some real change.”
"I faced racism during my playing days in Europe and Asia, and nohting seems to have changed.
Liverpool release statement on alleged Semenyo racist abuse
After full-time at Anfield, Liverpool released a statement regarding the incident on their social media channels.
The statement reads:
"Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth.
"We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, it has no place in society or football.
"The club is unable to comment further as tonight's alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully."
Semenyo overcomes racial abuse to score twice
Liverpool’s new signing Hugo Ekitike made an instant impact in the Premier League curtain-raiser at Anfield, striking in the 37th minute before adding a second just after the break to give the Reds a 2-0 cushion.
Arne Slot’s substitutions unsettled the home side, and Bournemouth quickly took advantage.
Antoine Semenyo, who had earlier reported racist abuse, pulled one back with a close-range finish before surging through midfield to slot home a superb equaliser, turning the contest on its head.
His brace not only made him the second player of the new season, after Ekitike, to score twice in a game but also saw him become the first Ghanaian - and first African, ahead of Mohamed Salah - to score on the opening day of the 2025/26 campaign.
Bournemouth’s fightback, however, was undone when substitute Federico Chiesa restored Liverpool’s lead with a brilliant strike, and Salah sealed a 4-2 win to continue his flawless record of scoring or assisting on every Premier League opening weekend he has played.
Semenyo commits future to Bournemouth
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Semenyo committed his future to Bournemouth by signing a new long-term deal after an impressive 2024/25 campaign.
The agreement underlines the striker’s rising influence at the club and reflects the Cherries’ intent to make him a key figure in their plans for the years ahead.
Source: YEN.com.gh
