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News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Antoine Semenyo Breaks Silence On Racist Abuse At Anfield: 'Will Stay With Me...'
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo faced racist abuse during the 2025-26 Premier League opener against Liverpool. Despite this, he scored twice and praised the community's support. Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has opened up on dealing with alleged racist abuse during the opening game of the 2025-26 Premier League against champions Liverpool at Anfield. He said the night will 'stay with me forever' because of how the football fraternity stood together in support of him and against racism. He added that the sport showed its 'best side' on the night and reminded him of his love for football. At the half-hour mark in the game, a Liverpool fan in a wheelchair approached and aggressively gestured towards the Ghanaian while he was taking a long throw-in and hurled the abuse. Semenyo informed referee Anthony Taylor of the incident, and the game was briefly halted, with both managers informed. The fan was eventually removed from the ground by the police, and an investigation is now underway. '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," he wrote on X. '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. 🙏🏾⚽" Semenyo added. The Premier League has a strict policy against racism, and if such accusations are established, fans face bans from stadiums, which are often for life. view comments First Published: August 16, 2025, 18:12 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
WATCH: Liverpool pay emotional tribute to Diogo Jota in Premier League opener with family present
Liverpool began their 2025-26 Premier League season with a 4-2 win over Bournemouth in an emotional tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Liverpool players stand for a minutes silence in tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother. Reuters Liverpool started their 2025-26 Premier League season with a 4-2 win over Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday, August 16. The night was all about remembering Diogo Jota. The Portuguese forward lost his life in a car accident in Spain last month along with his younger brother Andre Silva. Jota's family was in the stands as fans and players paid tributes before kick-off, during the match, and after it ended as well. Fans also held up a mosaic reading 'DJ20' and 'AS30'. They also sang 'You'll never walk alone' before the start of the match and observed a moment's silence in honour of Jota and his brother. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More from Football Players from the Liverpool team stood arm-in-arm around the center circle, and staff and players from both clubs wore black armbands. After the final whistle, Salah was reduced to tears as he stood in front of the storied Kop stand and kept going a song about Jota that was being chanted by the home supporters. Salah also repeated Jota's two-armed celebration after his goal, while Ekitike and Gakpo also dedicated their goals to Jota. 'Normally at 2-2, everyone knows which player I look to at that moment in time. I would have loved to bring in Diogo Jota but I could not, for terrible reasons," Liverpool manager Arne Slot said. 'But tonight, the fans and the players did what he did for us many times in the past.' 'Diogo's day' marred by racism claim Federico Chiesa scored in the 88th minute and Mohamed Salah added another goal in stoppage time as Liverpool recovered after throwing away a two-goal lead. In between goals by Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo that put Liverpool 2-0 ahead, the game was briefly paused in the 28th after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported to referee Anthony Taylor that he was targeted with racist language by a spectator. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said the person who abused Semenyo was identified. Semenyo, a 25-year-old Ghana international, needed to be consoled by teammates after the alleged incident but played on for the whole match and scored in the 64th and 76th to draw Bournemouth level. His second was a brilliant individual goal starting deep inside his own half. 'I don't know how Ant's played on, to be honest, and come up with those goals,' said Bournemouth captain Adam Smith, who added that Semenyo was 'a little bit down.' (With agency inputs)
