Football fan arrested for alleged racist abuse during League One fixture between Bradford City and Luton Town as clubs decide to hide affected player's identity

Daily Mail​

14 hours ago

A man has been arrested for alleged racist abuse during a League One fixture between Bradford City and Luton Town that took place on Saturday afternoon.
The incident occurred in the first half of the match - as one of Bradford's players was allegedly targeted with racist comments that came from the away end.
A club statement from Bradford City read: 'Bradford City AFC is aware of an allegation of racist abuse from an individual in the away section towards one of our players during today's Sky Bet League One game against Luton Town.
'An arrest has been made by West Yorkshire Police, with the individual in question swiftly removed from the University of Bradford Stadium. We will fully cooperate with all ongoing police investigations.
'Bradford City AFC strongly condemns racism and discrimination in all forms. We have a zero tolerance policy to such, unacceptable behaviour.
'The club will be making no further comment at this time.'
A statement from Luton Town read: 'We regret to report that we have been made aware of an allegation of racist abuse directed towards a Bradford City player during our game at Valley Parade on Saturday afternoon.
'West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that an individual in the away section was arrested.
'As a club we condemn racism and discrimination in all forms. This behaviour has no place in society and it has absolutely no place at Luton Town. Ever.
'We stand by any player who suffers at the hands of such abuse. It needs to stop.
'As a club we will now fully support the ongoing police investigation.'
It comes a day after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported racist abuse from a fan during Bournemouth's Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Friday.
The incident occurred as he was preparing to take a throw-in before he appeared to be heckled by a Liverpool fan just 28 minutes into the affair at Anfield.
Semenyo brought the incident to the attention of referee Anthony Taylor, and the match was promptly paused temporarily.
It has been alleged that the person who directed the abuse at Semenyo was a Liverpool fan sitting in a wheelchair in the bottom row of Anfield's Main Stand.
A supporter was then escorted out of the stands by police while at half-time, an anti-discrimination message was read out to the crowd inside Anfield.
During the game, Daily Mail Sport's Football Editor, Ian Ladyman, reported from the crowd: 'Two or three minutes before the stoppage I did see Semenyo turn to look at a guy seated in a wheelchair at the front of the Main Stand who was saying something to him quite forcibly.
'The look on the Bournemouth player's face said all you needed to know.'
The Premier League released on official statement during the game, taking to their Match Centre account on X.
It 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. 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.
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 @afcbournemouth teammates who supported me in that moment, to the @LiverpoolFC players and fans who showed their true… pic.twitter.com/6sNyv3vROK
— Antoine Semenyo (@semenyo924) August 16, 2025
Semenyo took to social media following the incident, as he wrote in a statement on X: '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 @afcbournemouth teammates 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 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.'
The 25-year-old also shared three images with powerful statements.