An eye-witness who was sat close to the Liverpool fan who racially abused Antoine Semenyo has spoken out about the disgusting incident.
On Friday night, Liverpool kicked off their title defence and the 2025/26 Premier League season with their opening game against Bournemouth at Anfield.
An evening of touching tributes to the late Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, and exciting football saw Liverpool come away with a 4-2 win in the match.
Unfortunately, the night was spoiled by one Liverpool fan who allegedly racially abused Bournemouth star Semenyo during the first half of the match, causing play to be halted.
Since the horrible moment, several Liverpool fans and members of the squad have spoken out to condemn the behaviour, with one eye-witness detailing exactly what happened.
Semenyo immediately reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor. (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Semenyo immediately reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor. (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
In the 29th minute of Friday's match, referee Anthony Taylor paused play after Semenyo told him about the alleged abuse.
Taylor then spoke with both captains, Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith, as well as Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola on the touchline before resuming the game.
Questions immediately were raised about what exactly happened during the incident, prompting Liverpool fan Nick Collins, who was an eye-witness to the moment, to speak out.
Posting on X, Collins wrote: "So this fella has had his season ticket for many years at Anfield. He’s passionate but often takes things way too far but it is what it is.
"He has crossed the line before by throwing stuff at officials (usually chewing gum) and stewards looked embarrassed rather than do anything. So I guess that’s allowed his behaviour to escalate maybe in his brain.
"About 28 mins into the game, Semenyo goes to take a throw in. He’s not a player that goads the fans and seems like a decent lad. The sort of player that people want playing for their club.
"For reasons I’ll never know, the fella near me in bay 7 (I’m bay 9) decides to go over to him in his wheelchair and shouts something at Semenyo. Semenyo then asks him to repeat it and he repeated it and threw his chewing gum at him.
"Then 2 mins later the play is stopped. We missed the first goal because all of us were uncomfortable being around this guy, who’s now sat in silence, probably realising what he’s done and he’s soon to be in the shit.
"We didn’t want him near us and people (including myself) were calling him a racist prick. It was just uncomfortable to be around and we wanted him gone."
Collins then confirmed that the supporter, who was wearing a Liverpool kit displaying the 'No Room for Racism' badge, was removed from the ground shortly after 9pm, having initially refused to move.
Antoine Semenyo scored two goals during the match at Anfield. (Image: Getty)
Antoine Semenyo scored two goals during the match at Anfield. (Image: Getty)
Antoine Semenyo speaks out after receiving disgusting racist message
Shortly after the match, Semenyo took to his Instagram story to share another racist message that he received following the match, asking: "When will it stop?"
Meanwhile, on X, the 25-year-old released a lengthy statement thanking various people for their support, writing: "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 AFC Bournemouth teammates who supported me in that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials who handled it professionally - thank you. Football showed its best side when it mattered most.
"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 teammates, 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."