Norgaard urges fans not to overreact to pre-season matches

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Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool-Bournemouth match paused after Semenyo subjected to racist abuse
The opening match of the Premier League between Liverpool and Bournemouth briefly stopped on Friday after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a spectator inside Anfield. In the 28th minute with the score at 0-0, referee Anthony Taylor talked to Semenyo, who is Black, while Liverpool was preparing to take a corner. Taylor then ran over to the sideline and spoke to both coaches, Liverpool's Arne Slot and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola. After also talking to the captains, play resumed about two minutes later. Semenyo's complaint was the reason for the stoppage, the Premier League confirmed to the Associated Press. Bournemouth players consoled Semenyo, who played the full game and scored both of his team's goals in a 4-2 loss. Iraola said the person who abused Semenyo was identified. 'It's a shame because a really great game of football, the first game of the season with everyone watching, and we have to be talking about this thing still today,' Iraola said. 'We should be past this stage but there's still people who don't behave correctly. It's a shame because every step you collectively do forward, these things lose a lot of power.' Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said he was 'in shock' and full of admiration for Semenyo, a 25-year-old Ghana international. 'I don't know how Ant's played on, to be honest, and come up with those goals,' Smith said. 'It's totally unacceptable and I just feel sorry for Ant. He's a little bit down, obviously.' Smith said he asked Taylor to remove the person who abused Semenyo from the stadium immediately. 'But he said we have to go through a process, and that the police will go and sort it,' Smith said. 'And to be fair, the Liverpool players were supportive toward Antoine and the rest of the team. I think it was handled in the right way.' An anti-discrimination message was read out to the crowd inside Anfield after the halftime whistle. The Premier League said it will investigate the incident and 'offer our full support to the player and both clubs.' 'Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society,' the competition said. 'We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.' The Football Association said it was 'very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd." 'Incidents of this nature have no place in our game,' the FA added, '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.' ___ AP soccer: Steve Douglas, The Associated Press
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Premier League issues explanation after Liverpool game halted following alleged racism
The Premier League has issued an official explanation after Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo alleged that a fan racially abused him. Liverpool hosted Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday in the opening game of the 2025-26 Premier League season, but play was stopped in the 28th minute. Semenyo reported a racial comment from the crowd, and referee Anthony Taylor stopped the contest momentarily. The game was restarted, and Semenyo issued the perfect response, scoring two goals in the second half to tie the game after Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo put Liverpool 2-0 ahead. Liverpool won the game late, following goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah, and the Premier League then issued a statement regarding the Semenyo incident. READ MORE: Marc Guehi given Liverpool transfer reminder with Ibrahima Konate comparison READ MORE: Liverpool laughs in Newcastle's face again with next transfer as Alexander Isak saga rumbles on "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," the statement on the Premier League Match Center X account read. "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. "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." Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola was disappointed with the incident, and said to Sky Sports after the game: "The referee explained to both managers straight away the situation. It is a big shame we have to start talking about these things. "The Liverpool manager and the players they feel it the same. Everyone understands that these things have to be out of everywhere but especially football. "Now we have to go again to talk to the police and the officials. I think for sure he [Semenyo ] will have it in his head [now] and it shouldn't be like this." Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said that Semenyo was feeling down after the game, and has called on the Premier League to take racial incidents more seriously. "Totally unacceptable. Kind of in shock it happened in this day and age," he told Sky Sports. "I don't know how Ant has carried on playing and come up with this goals. He's a little bit down. Something needs to be done. Taking a knee has taken no effect. We've supported him and hopefully he'll be OK. "I wanted him to react [after scoring], that's what I'd have done. I'd have gone straight over there. It shows what kind of man he is to report it to the ref and carry on. Fair play to Ant. "It's more anger. Shocked. I said to the ref I wanted him removed immediately but the police went and sorted it. The Liverpool players were very supportive to Ant and the rest of the team. Just so angry. "We've had discussions with the Premier League about it so they have been taking it seriously. I don't know what else we can do. We've been doing it for a long time now and no one is getting it. I just feel sorry for Ant and he's had to take that. The whole country is watching and it's shocking." Semenyo, 25, has impressed since joining Bournemouth in 2023 and was linked with a summer exit alongside several teammates. Semenyo scored eight Premier League goals in 2023-24 and added 11 last season. The winger was linked with teams such as Tottenham, Manchester United, and Liverpool, but decided to sign a five-year contract extension at Bournemouth. "I've grown so much at the club, both on and off the pitch, and I'm really happy to have signed ahead of returning for pre-season," he said. "From the fans to the staff and my teammates, I can't speak highly enough of the people around the club. It's a great place to be and I'm excited to get back to Bournemouth and continue the hard work with the new season just around the corner." Semenyo's decision was well-received at Bournemouth, as other stars decided to move on this summer. Milos Kerkez joined Liverpool in a deal worth $54 million, and Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid for $67 million. Ilya Zabarnyi also joined Paris Saint-Germain, and Dango Ouattara has agreed to join Brentford. Bournemouth has made some exciting signings, though, and one was agreed in Liverpool on Friday. Liverpool winger Ben Doak is set to join Bournemouth in a deal worth $34 million, providing support for Semenyo, Evanilson, David Brooks, and Marcus Tavernier in attack. Bournemouth's main priority this summer has been the defense. Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was signed from Chelsea after Kepa and Mark Travers departed the club, and Bafode Diakite was signed to replace Zabarnyi at center back. Adrien Truffert arrived from Stade Rennais to replace Kerkez at left back.


NBC Sports
10 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
'Emotional night' for Liverpool's dramatic win
The desk pitch side reacts to Liverpool's 4-2 win against Bournemouth on opening day of the Premier League season.