FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that he was deeply saddened by the racist abuse suffered by Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during the Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield.
He said that the offender’s behavior was “totally unacceptable” and that Semenyo had “given a remarkable demonstration of strength to the game despite such adversity.”The attacker, located in the stand and notably audible, shouted at the Ghana international during the first half.
Referee Anthony Taylor stopped the action momentarily, having spoken with the managers and the captains of the two teams before the home side’s kickoff.
A 47-year-old man from Liverpool, who was removed from the stadium and arrested by Merseyside Police, is suspected of having caused a racially aggravated public order offence in the area, police said.
In a press release, Infantino described Semenyo as a strong and brave man: “The world of football is not for racism or any other form of discrimination.
Faced with all this, Antoine’s bravery and his performance on the pitch, become a strong example of human dignity and moral support.” FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel, part of its anti-racism framework adopted in 2024, will certainly speak to the forward to provide moral help.Furthermore, Semenyo expressed his gratitude to the Liverpool players and the referees, as well as the other football professionals who supported him.
He also declared that since then, he has been bombarded with hateful messages of which some are racist too.The British Football League chief executive Richard Masters echoed the league’s position, saying that troublemakers who break the law or do not comply with the code of behavior will be subject to stadium bans and possible criminal proceedings.
