Bournemouth skipper Adam Smith has spoken about his frustration at the reported racial abuse that teammate Antoine Semenyo suffered on Friday evening. During the first half of the Cherries’ clash with Liverpool, play was halted after the winger informed referee Anthony Taylor that he believes racist abuse was hurled in his direction.
After both managers, captains and the police were informed, play then resumed. Bournemouth went on to lose the match 4-2, though Semenyo made his mark on the clash nevertheless, bagging a brace to drag his side back into the contest to level the score – before Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa scored late goals to rescue all three points for the Reds.
Despite the action-packed nature of the match, it was somewhat overshadowed by the reported racist abuse which Semenyo suffered. Speaking about the incident after the match, Bournemouth captain Smith heaped praise on the winger for not reacting and issued a call for more worthwhile action.
He told Sky Sports: “I don't know how Ant's played on to be honest and come out with those goals. He's down obviously. Taking the knee and doing this (points to No Room for Racism badge) is having no effect.
“I wanted him to react because that's what I would have done, I’d have gone straight over there. It shows what type of guy he is and fair play to Ant. I'm more angry to be honest, shocked. I said to the ref I wanted him removed immediately, but he said it has to go to the police. The Liverpool players were good to be fair with Ant and everything.”
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