18th August 2025
August 18 – The European football season is back and so is racism, after incidents in England’s Premier League opener in Liverpool and the German Cup in Leipzig resulted in both matches being halted.
The opening weekend of the 2025/26 season was supposed to be a celebratory return for the world’s favourite sport, but was instead tarnished by a series of racist incidents, beginning at Anfield where Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported abuse from the crowd.
Friday’s match at Anfield between Premier League champions Liverpool and Bournemouth was paused in the 29th minute after Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo alerted the referee tp abuse from the crowd.
The Ghana international, who went on to score twice in the game, was targeted from the disabled supporters’ section.
Merseyside Police confirmed on Saturday that a man had been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and remains in custody for questioning.
The 47-year-old suspect was escorted off the premises by officials at half time – a bizarre incident to watch unfold as he was wheeled out of Anfield.
Semenyo shared a statement to Instagram on Saturday and 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 Bournemouth team-mates 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.”
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith later told Sky Sports: “It shows what kind of man he is to report it to the ref and carry on.
“The Liverpool players were very supportive to Ant and the rest of the team.”
**German Cup abuse**
In Germany, Schalke 04’s Christopher Antwi-Adjei was racially abused during his side’s German cup match against 4th tier Lok Leipzig on Sunday, resulting in a five-minute interruption.
“It has nothing to do on a football field, and more generally on a daily basis,” said Antwi-Adjei. “I don’t want to repeat the words that have been said. It’s disappointing. I’m not someone who goes home and cries. But I still find it disappointing that this kind of thing still happens today on a field.”
During his man of the match interview, Schalke’s Bryan Lasme gave his support to his teammate: “There is no room for racism.
“I directly signalled to the referee that we would not continue playing if it did not stop.
“I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but I didn’t want to tolerate it either. It’s the least I could do.”
The stadium announcer at the Bruno-Plache-Stadion, home of fourth-tier side Lokomotive Leipzig, condemned the discriminatory remarks.
“This is the club’s position: there is no place for racism or discrimination on the pitch,” club spokesman Carsten Muschalle told Sky at half-time.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [moc.l1755520014labto1755520014ofdlr1755520014owedi1755520014sni@g1755520014niwe.1755520014yrrah1755520014](javascript:;)