Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has thanked fans across the globe for their support in the face of racist abuse during his side’s Premier League opener.
The Cherries’ 4–2 defeat to Liverpool was temporarily halted midway through the first half after Semenyo reported hearing racist abuse from a supporter inside Anfield. The fan in question was subsequently removed from the game, police have confirmed.
After responding on the pitch by netting two goals and nearly earning his side a hard-fought point, Semenyo took to social media to thank everyone for their support.
“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,” Semenyo wrote.
“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.”
Responding to the incident, chief inspector Kev Chatterton, the match commander, said: “Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form.
“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.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk delivered his own firm response to what he labelled “an absolute disgrace.” “I’ve had loads of conversations with him [Semenyo] about it,” the Dutch skipper revealed post-match. “First and foremost, I wanted to know what happened and I am glad the authorities are dealing with it all, that is the main thing.
“But we stand with him completely and I think every one of you here would say the same thing: these things can’t happen. So anything he needs for support, I am here for him.
“We are all here for him to be honest, but the club as well and they are dealing with it in the right way. I am fully confident about that. Especially the authorities have to deal with it now and like I said these things can’t happen, whatsoever.
“I can’t believe it and I can say these things that it shouldn’t happen but unfortunately it does and it is an absolute disgrace in my eyes.”
“These things should never happen in the world, not only football,” Van Dijk added. “I am happy to say I don’t see it happening up until today actually and that is why I say that it is a disgrace that it could happen. But in general racism is not of this world in my opinion, but if we are to be realistic, unfortunately, it still exists and that is the dangerous side of it.
“We have to deal with it in the here and now and like I said, I am here for Antoine, whenever he needs it and we are here as a club to deal with it in the best way possible because it shouldn’t happen.”
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Antoine Semenyo Offers Heartfelt Response to Racist Abuse in Liverpool Defeat.
