A man suspected of racially abusing Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during the inaugural Premier League match of this season has been prohibited from attending any football stadium in the UK. This ban forms part of his bail conditions following his arrest.
The incident occurred during Bournemouth's Friday game against Liverpool at Anfield, which was temporarily halted in the 29th minute after Semenyo reported it to the referee. A 47-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and has since been conditionally bailed, according to Merseyside Police.
Bail conditions and ongoing investigation
The bail conditions stipulate that he is not allowed to attend any regulated football match in the UK or go within one mile of a designated football stadium. The police force stated that their investigation into this incident is ongoing and they are working closely with Liverpool Football Club.
Semenyo, a 25-year-old Ghana international, took to social media expressing how this night at Anfield would remain etched in his memory "because of how the entire football family stood together". He extended gratitude towards his teammates, Liverpool players and fans as well as Premier League officials for handling it professionally.
Despite being shaken by this incident, Semenyo managed to score twice for Bournemouth after play resumed four minutes post-reporting abuse. However, Bournemouth lost 4-2 against Liverpool.
Reactions from Football Associations
In response to this unfortunate event, both The Premier League and The Football Association have issued statements.
The Football Association released statement:
"Incidents of this nature have no place in our game, and we will work closely with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken."
This incident underscores the ongoing battle against racism in football, highlighting the need for stringent measures to eradicate such behaviour from the sport. The swift response from all parties involved serves as a testament to their commitment towards maintaining an inclusive and respectful environment within football.
