Police investigate alleged racist abuse at Anfield as Liverpool release statement

Liverpool beat Bournemouth in their Premier League opener at Anfield but the match was stopped during the first half amid allegations of racist abuse from the stands

Liverpool have issued a strongly worded statement after an alleged racist incident during their win over Bournemouth. Cherries forward Antoine Semenyo reported the matter to referee Anthony Taylor, with the game briefly stopped as Taylor spoke to figures from both teams.

“Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth,” the Premier League holders said. “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,” they added. Bournemouth’s captain Adam Smith and manager Andoni Iraola also commented on the matter when speaking to Sky Sports after the match, as did Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

“The club made a clear statement. We don’t want this in football, we don’t want this happening in stadiums, especially not at Anfield,” Slot said.

“We should talk about this for a long time because we do not want this at Anfield. It takes the shine off it a bit because our fans were amazing, especially with the tributes to Diogo [Jota].”

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“Straight away Antoine and the referee told us,” Iraola said when addressing the alleged abuse. “The person has been identified.

“It is a big shame these things keep happening. First game of the season, a lovely game of football and I have to speak about these things happening. A big shame.”

The alleged racist abuse came in the first half, and Semenyo scored twice after the break to bring Bournemouth back from 2-0 down to 2-2. Two more late goals gave Liverpool victory, though, with Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah on target.

“Totally unacceptable,” Smith said in his own post-match comments. “Kind of in shock it happened in this day and age. I don’t know how Ant has carried on playing and come up with his goals.

“He’s [Semenyo] a little bit down. Something needs to be done. Taking a knee has taken no effect. We’ve supported him and hopefully he’ll be OK.

“I wanted him to react [after scoring], that’s what I’d have done. I’d have gone straight over there. It shows what kind of man he is to report it to the ref and carry on. Fair play to Ant.

“It’s more anger. Shocked. I said to the ref I wanted him removed immediately but the police went and sorted it. The Liverpool players were very supportive to Ant and the rest of the team. Just so angry.

“We’ve had discussions with the Premier League about it so they have been taking it seriously. I don’t know what else we can do. We’ve been doing it for a long time now and no-one is getting it. I just feel sorry for Ant and he’s had to take that. The whole country is watching and it’s shocking.”

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