A 47-year-old man from the Liverpool area has been taken into custody for questioning
A man has been arrested after the opening match of the Premier League season [was marred by an alleged racist incident.](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/antoine-semenyo-bournemouth-player-reports-racist-comment-supporter-liverpool-anfield-3863400?ico=most_popular&srsltid=AfmBOophidCBm4P0Si-PezLO78hOW2cDWKPY09BKDT3eN4XrEdtpqiww)
Bournemouth player Antoine Semenyo reported the alleged abuse in the 28th minute of his side’s fixture against Liverpool at Anfield on Friday night.
Referee Anthony Taylor paused the game and notified security in the stadium.
Following conversations with Semenyo and both team captains the match resumed.
Liverpool went on to win 4-2 although Semenyo scored both of Bournmouth’s goals.
It is understood police officers went into the referee’s room at half-time to discuss the matter, while an anti-discrimination message was read out to the Anfield crowd.
Merseyside Police later confirmed they would be investigating the incident after footage circulating on social media showed a man in a wheelchair being escorted from the ground by officers.
On Saturday the force said a 47-year-old man from the Liverpool area has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.
He was taken into custody to be interviewed.
Antoine Semenyo (R) was subjected to racist abuse before scoring twice against Liverpool (Photo: Getty)
Semenyo said he was fully supported by players on both sides and Liverpool FC followng the incident.
Praising the response he wrote on social media: ““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.
“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.”
Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton the match commander for the Liverpool v Bournemouth 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.”
He added: “There is no place for racism and it is vital that anyone who witnesses such an offence reports it to stewards, or the police immediately, so we can take the necessary action like we did this evening.
“As with all matches, we work very closely with both Liverpool and Everton FC to ensure the safety of the public , and the players.”
A spokesperson for Liverpool Football Club, said: “Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against Bournemouth.
“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 is incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully.”