FIFA’s players’ voice panel to support Bournemouth’s Semenyo after racist abuse
Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has received support from FIFA's Players' Voice Panel after being subjected to racist abuse during Saturday's Premier League opener against Liverpool at Anfield.
New Delhi: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has criticised the racist abuse directed towards Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during the opening match of the Premier League 2025-26 against Liverpool. He said that the world football governing body would reach out to the player to offer its support.
The Ghana international was targeted by a fan in the crowd at Anfield Stadium during the first half of the match on Saturday. Referee Anthony Taylor stopped the game after the incident and spoke to both managers and captains before the match resumed.
Merseyside Police said that a 47-year-old man had been ejected from Liverpool's Anfield. On Saturday, they confirmed that he had been arrested in Liverpool on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and taken into custody to be interviewed.
Despite the abuse, Semenyo netted twice in the second half and helped Bournemouth to level after Liverpool had gone 2-0 up, before the hosts secured a 4-2 win with two late goals.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the incident and said that 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.
"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," he added.
'Football showed its best side when it mattered most': Semenyo
The Bournemouth forward later expressed his gratitude and wrote on Instagram that the match at Anfield will stay with him forever, not because of one person's words, but because of how the entire football family stood together.
He also thanked his teammates who supported him, and praised the Liverpool players and fans for showing their true character. "To the Premier League officials who handled it professionally - thank you. Football showed its best side when it mattered most," he added.