A Liverpool man arrested over the weekend for racially abusing AFC Bournemouth and Ghana striker Antoine Semenyo has been been banned from attending any regulated football match in the UK and not going within one mile of a designated football stadium.
These were part of conditions of bail granted the 47-year-old.
The man, spotted in a wheelchair, racially abused the Ghanaian in AFC Bournemouth’s 2-4 loss to champions Liverpool in the opening game of the 2025/26 English Premier League.
Coincidentally, Semenyo scored both goals for the Cherries, initially cancelling a 2-0 lead by the Reds.
He reported the matter to Merseyside Police after which the suspect was arrested, on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.
Semenyo has received backing since the incident occured.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has condemned the incident, promising to support the player in getting to the matter.
“Everyone at FIFA, The Players’ Voice Panel and the whole football community stands firmly with Antoine and we will continue to offer our unequivocal support to him, Bournemouth, the Premier League and The FA to ensure strong deterrents are in place, and actions taken, to eradicate racism and discrimination from our game,” he stated on Sunday, August 17.
Semenyo has since expressed gratitude not only to his teammates but to Liverpool players “who showed their true character”.
He also thanked the Premier League “who handled it professionally”.
