Antoine Semenyo said the response to his report of racist abuse from a Liverpool fan showed football at its best.
The opening match of the new Premier League season at Anfield on Friday night was briefly halted in the first half after Bournemouth forward Semenyo was targeted by a supporter.
The incident was strongly condemned by representatives of both teams while the Premier League has said it will launch a full investigation.
Writing on social media, Semenyo said: “Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever – not because of one person’s words, but because of how the entire football family stood together.
“To my @afcb team-mates who supported me in that moment, to the @liverpoolfc players and fans who showed their true character, to the @premierleague officials who handled it professionally – thank you. Football showed its best side when it mattered most.
Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever – not because of one person's words, but because of how the entire football family stood together.
To my @afcbournemouth teammates who supported me in that moment, to the @LiverpoolFC players and fans who showed their true… pic.twitter.com/6sNyv3vROK
— Antoine Semenyo (@semenyo924) August 16, 2025
“Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play – for moments like these, for my team-mates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.
“The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together.”
The PA news agency understands police officers went into the referee’s room at half-time, while an anti-discrimination message was read out to the Anfield crowd.
Semenyo pulled Bournemouth level with two goals in the second half before Liverpool went on to claim a 4-2 win.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo (L) and Marcus Tavernier celebrate after scoring the equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• READ: Nearby Liverpool fan has explained Antoine Semenyo racism incident
The 25-year-old also highlighted racist abuse on Instagram, and PA understands Meta, the social media platform’s parent company, is investigating and taking action against the offending comments and accounts, some of which are being disabled.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk believes football has to continue to try to educate the next generation about racism after labelling the abuse aimed at Semenyo as a “disgrace”.
“We have to deal with it in the here and now.”
Van Dijk offered words of support to Semenyo, adding: “I am here for Antoine, whenever he needs it and we are here as a club to deal with it in the best way possible because it shouldn’t happen.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I’ve had loads of conversations with him about it: first and foremost I wanted to know what happened and I am glad the authorities are dealing with it all.
“But we stand with him completely and anything he needs for support, I am here for him. We are all here for him, to be honest, but the club as well and they are dealing with it in the right way, I am fully confident about that.”
Merseyside Police said a 47-year-old man was removed from the ground and an investigation was under way after his identity was confirmed.
Referee Anthony Taylor (third left) halted play at Anfield after Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo (second right) reported being racially abused (Peter Byrne/PA)
Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, the match commander for the game, said: “Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form.
“We take incidents like this very seriously, and in cases like this we will be proactively seeking football banning orders, with the club, against those responsible.”
The incident came two days after Tottenham’s Mathys Tel received racist abuse online after missing a penalty in his side’s Super Cup win against Paris St Germain.