Bournemouth defender Adam Smith has been praised for his response after teammate Antoine Semenyo was the subject of racist abuse during the 4-2 Premier League opener against Liverpool. The game was stopped shortly before the half-hour mark after Semenyo alerted referee Anthony Taylor about the abuse, with the game continuing after a period of consultation. A fan would later be ejected from the stadium by Merseyside Police.
Semenyo would go on to score twice to seemingly salvage a draw for the visitors before two late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah secured the three points for a shaky Liverpool. After the game, Smith was the Bournemouth player tasked with speaking post-match to Sky Sports, and he delivered a strongly worded verdict on the incident in question.
Smith's Strong Response to Semenyo Abuse
Speaking post-match, Smith understandably condemned the abuse launched at Semenyo, while also giving details as to the conversations that took place in the Bournemouth dressing room.
"It's totally unacceptable, to be honest. I'm shocked, to be honest, that it's happened in this day and age. It shouldn't be happening. I don't know how Ant played on, to be honest, and came up with those goals. It's totally unacceptable, and I just feel sorry for Ant. Something needs to be done. Taking the knee, doing this, it's having no effect.
"I wanted him to react, because that's what I would have done. I'd have gone straight over there. But this shows what type of man he is, to not react even in the moment it happened, then he reported it to the ref and got those two goals, it shows you the type of guy he is and the character he has.
"I'm more angry, to be honest. Shocked. I said to the referee, I want him [the fan] removed immediately, but the ref said we had to go through the process and the police would sort it.
"To be fair, the Liverpool players were very supportive as well to Antoine. I think it was handled in the right way. But yeah, so angry. I've just been speaking to some of the lads in there, and I don't know what else we can do. We've been doing it [taking the knee] for a long time now, and I just don't know what to say anymore.
"We just feel for Ant and that he's had to take that tonight. It's just shocking."
This was followed up by further comments made to the BBC, where Smith added: "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."
The emotional message from Smith garnered plenty of positive responses on social media, with comments from fans ranging from describing it as 'incredible' and powerful.
Liverpool Release Statement on Abuse
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After the game, Liverpool themselves put out a statement on social media regarding the incident, saying they were aware of the situation and condemned the act of racism.
"Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth," the statement read.
"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."
The incident comes the same day as Thomas Frank was forced to defend Mathys Tel during his news conference after the Tottenham striker was also hit with racial abuse online after missing a penalty in the Super Cup defeat over PSG.