Liverpool vs Bournemouth Stopped After Racist Abuse Towards Semenyo

Liverpool vs Bournemouth Halted After Racist Abuse Reported Towards Semenyo

The Premier League’s opening fixture between Liverpool and Bournemouth was temporarily halted in the first half after Cherries forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by someone in the crowd.

Referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the 29th minute, shortly before a Liverpool corner, and spoke to both managers on the touchline. Captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith were also called over before the match resumed four minutes later with the score at 0-0.

Premier League Issues Strong Statement

Following the half-time whistle, an anti-discrimination message was read out to the crowd inside Anfield. The Premier League Match Centre later posted on X:

“Tonight’s match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused… after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society.”

The statement confirmed the pause was in line with the Premier League’s on-field anti-discrimination protocol.

Wider Context of Racism in Football

The incident follows several recent high-profile cases of racist abuse in football. On Wednesday, Tottenham forward Mathys Tel was targeted on social media after Spurs’ Super Cup penalty shootout loss to Paris St-Germain.

Last month, England defender Jess Carter suffered abuse during Euro 2025, while Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka were victims of racist attacks after the Euro 2020 final in July 2021.