Premier League launch probe after Antoine Semenyo reports racist abuse during Liverpool clash
Referee Anthony Taylor looks on with AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and Liverpool manager Arne Slot after the game was paused due to a report of racial abuse
The Premier League has said it will launch a full investigation after Liverpool's curtain-raiser against Bournemouth at Anfield was halted when visiting forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a spectator.
Match referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the 29th minute and spoke with managers Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola before respective captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith were called over to the dug-outs.
It is understood police officers went into the referee's room at half-time, while an anti-discrimination message was read out to the Anfield crowd.
A Premier League statement read: 'Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo.
'This is in line with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol.
'The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs.
Referee Anthony Taylor looks on with AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and Liverpool manager Arne Slot after the game was paused due to a report of racial abuse
'Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.'
Semenyo shared another racist message he had received on his Instagram account, accompanied by the message: 'When will it stop……'
Merseyside Police said a 47-year-old man was removed from the ground and an investigation was under way after his identity was confirmed.
Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, the match commander for the game, said: 'Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form.
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo celebrates scoring their second goal ]
News in 90 Seconds - August 16th
'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.'
Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville said: 'It overshadows what should be an amazing night. First game of the Premier League season, a beautiful day, 62,000 fans in the stadium and that boy (Semenyo) basically has been racially abused and has had to go over to a referee to complain about it.
'I can't even begin to think what would be going through someone's mind, however it's happened and it'll keep on happening and it's a sorry state.'
Fellow co-commentator Jamie Carragher added: 'A shocking incident rightly reported to the referee.'
The incident comes two days after Tottenham's Mathys Tel received racist abuse online after missing a penalty in his side's UEFA Super Cup win against Paris St Germain.
The Football Association said it was 'concerned' about the allegation of racism towards Semenyo and that it would ensure 'appropriate action' would be taken.
A statement from the FA read: 'We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd, which was reported to the match officials during the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Bournemouth.
'Incidents of this nature have no place in our game and we will work closely with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken.'
After the incident, Semenyo scored twice in the second half to help bring Bournemouth back from two goals down at Anfield before Liverpool went on to eventually win the contest 4-2.
Cherries' Adam Smith told Sky Sports News afterwards: 'It shouldn't be happening. I don't know how Ant's played on to be honest and come up with those goals. It's totally unacceptable
'Something needs to be done. Taking the knee isn't having an effect. We're supporting him and hopefully he'll be OK.
'I wanted him to react because that's what I would have done, but this shows what type of man he is…to come up with those goals showed the type of guy he is.
'To be fair the Liverpool players were very supportive as well towards Antoine and the rest of the team. It was handled in the right way but…so angry.
'I don't know what else we can do. No one's getting it. I don't know what to say anymore. I just feel for Ant…shocking.'
Liverpool issued a statement which read: 'Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against AFC 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 incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully.'
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