Man suspected of racially abusing Bournemouth's Semenyo banned from stadiums
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - August 15, 2025 AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Peter Powell/ File Photo
A 47-year-old man from Liverpool who was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Bournemouth player Antoine Semenyo has been conditionally bailed and banned from attending soccer matches, Merseyside Police said on Monday.
Friday's Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield was halted during the first half after Semenyo told the referee he was targeted by a man in the crowd.
The Ghana forward netted twice in the second period, but Liverpool won the match 4-2.
Police said a man had been ejected from Anfield over the incident and announced they had made an arrest the following day.
"He has now been bailed with conditions, which includes not to attend any regulated football match in the UK and not to go within one mile of a designated football stadium," Merseyside Police said in a statement, adding that the investigation was still ongoing.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the racist abuse directed at Semenyo, saying that the Players' Voice Panel will aid the 25-year-old.
On Saturday, Semenyo thanked his teammates, Liverpool, match officials and the "entire football family" for their support.
