'It’s despicable. It’s a sorry state,' says Gary Neville after Antoine Semenyo reports incident to Anthony Taylor during first half at Anfield
Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported an alleged racist comment from a Liverpool supporter during the opening Premier League match of the season.
Referee Anthony Taylor brought a halt to the game on the half-hour mark after Semenyo informed the official.
“It overshadows what should be an amazing night. The first day of the Premier League season, a beautiful day,” Gary Neville said on Sky Sports at half-time.
“And that boy has been racially abused. It’s despicable. I can’t imagine what is going through that fan’s mind.
“However, it has happened. It will keep on happening. It’s a sorry state.”
Referee Anthony Taylor stopped play (Photo: PA)
Footage on social media appeared to show Semenyo have an exchange with one supporter before taking a throw-in, although it was not clear this was when the incident happened.
Semenyo could then be seen speaking with referee Taylor before Liverpool took a corner.
Taylor delayed the corner and went over to discuss the incident with the managers of Liverpool and Bournemouth, Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola.
Semenyo also made his way over to the sidelines, with players from both sides consoling the player after learning he was subjected to abuse.
> 30 minutes into a new Premier League season and a player has reported audible racist abuse from a supporter.
>
> — Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) [August 15, 2025](https://twitter.com/danielstorey85/status/1956438990577615134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
“I am told via the Premier League Match Centre that Antoine Semenyo was the subject of a racist comment from the crowd,” Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury said at the time.
“It was Semenyo himself who brought attention to it.”
Jamie Carragher added at half-time: “With the amount of campaigns we have, it’s shocking to see an incident like that.
“A shocking incident and rightly reported to the referee.”
_More to follow._