FIFA's Players' Voice Panel to aid Bournemouth's Semenyo after racist abuse
"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."Despite the abuse, Semenyo struck twice in the second half to haul Bournemouth level after Liverpool had gone 2-0 up, before the hosts secured a 4-2 victory with two late goals. Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola admitted: "It's a big shame that these things keep happening." Club captain Adam Smith added, "Totally unacceptable; I'm kind of in shock it happened in this day and age. I don't know how Ant has carried on playing and come up with these goals."FIFA President Gianni Infantino was quick to condemn the incident. "Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination - Antoine's courage and performance on the pitch, despite such adversity, is a powerful example of strength and dignity for players worldwide," Infantino said."The Players' Voice Panel, established as part of the five pillars against racism adopted by FIFA Congress in 2024, will be in touch with Antoine and is monitoring these situations closely. We are committed to ensuring that players are respected and protected, and that competition organisers and law enforcement authorities take appropriate action."Premier League chief executive Richard Masters also reinforced the league's stance. "Anyone guilty of racist abuse would be banned from stadiums and could face prosecution," he warned on Saturday.Semenyo later revealed he had been racially abused online after the match, underscoring how football continues to battle discrimination despite unified condemnation across the game.- EndsMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Premier League: Nottingham Forest goalkeeping coach gets six stitches on head after goal celebration goes wrong
Joy turned to pain in an instant for Nottingham Forest goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa, whose celebration of Chris Wood's opener against Brentford ended with six stitches and a dizzy spell for him in its first Premier League game of the new season. Wood's fifth-minute goal, poked home following a corner, sparked jubilant scenes in the Forest dugout at the City Ground. However, Barbosa's enthusiasm turned painful when he smacked his head on the dugout during the celebrations. The club's medical staff swiftly treated a nasty cut on his head. 'He has six stitches! It was a nasty one. A bad one. He was dizzy,' Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo told reporters on Sunday. The 3-1 victory marked Forest's first opening-day Premier League win since the 1996-97 season, when it defeated Coventry City.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Newcastle signs Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa for reported $53 million
NEWCASTLE: Newcastle bolstered its midfield options ahead of a return to the Champions League by signing midfielder Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa for a reported $53 million on Sunday. The 24-year-old Ramsey, who came through Villa's academy and made 167 appearances for the club, is Newcastle's fourth signing of a transfer window where most of the focus has been on its star striker, Alexander Isak. Isak has been linked with a move to Liverpool. Newcastle has already signed winger Anthony Elanga, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and defender Malick Thiaw. "This is a big move for me," Ramsey said, "but as soon as I knew the gaffer (manager Eddie Howe) was interested and really liked me, it didn't take much time to decide. His track record of developing players, especially those who have gone on to become internationals here, speaks for itself." Howe said Ramsey's "qualities will bring us something different on the pitch." "He fits the profile of being young and hungry to develop, but also with a wealth of Premier League football under his belt," Howe said. "Jacob offers versatility and his directness in attack."
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Controversial penalty call leaves Manchester United shellshocked as referee ignores apparent foul on Matheus Cunha
The new Premier League season is finally underway, and the opening weekend had plenty of spice, drama and entertainment. Liverpool had to rely on two late goals to overcome Bournemouth, Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace, and then Arsenal managed to defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford. Arsenal's William Saliba, left, challenges Manchester United's Matheus Cunha.(AP) At Old Trafford, Riccardo Calafiori took advantage of a mistake by stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayandir to head home from a Declan Rice corner in the 13th minute. Huge controversy There was also controversy towards the end as the referee made a controversial call on an apparent foul on Matheus Cunha. Many fans felt that William Saliba's tackle for the ball was totally missed, and he ended up tripping Cunha in the box. United made several appeals, but no penalty was given. Speaking on Arsenal's goal, Amorim felt that Arsenal defender Saliba put off Bayandir. Saliba backed into the goalkeeper, which saw him flap at the ball and knock it across to Calafiori. 'I think it's clear. Players are touching the goalkeeper without the idea of going for the ball. That is not allowed,' he said. 'It's protecting the attacking guy and saying that we want (more) goals. But when you are touching the goalkeeper in that way, I think it's hard.' Explaining why Onana didn't start, he said, 'I didn't drop Onana from the squad, I didn't drop one of the other two from the squad. So it's not the case of dropping Onana, it's not putting Andre Onana with just one week [of training], without seeing a game, without time with training. And like you say, guys, like Tom and Altay during the pre-season, they did a good job.' 'I think we prove today that we can win any game in the Premier League, especially against a great team like Arsenal and we were the better team. So I'm happy with the the players,' he added.
