A 47-year-old man from Liverpool has been arrested after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused during the first game of the Premier League season, according to Merseyside Police.
The man was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence and has been taken into custody to be interviewed.
The Ghana international reported being racially abused by a spectator to referee Anthony Taylor, who stopped play in the 29th minute on Friday night, and a 47-year-old man was ejected from Anfield Stadium.
Semenyo was also subjected to racist abuse on Instagram on Friday night. The 25-year-old shared some of the abuse on his story, with the caption: “When will it stop?”
Semenyo said the response to the incident showed football at its best “when it mattered most”. The incident was strongly condemned by representatives of both teams, while the Premier League has said it will launch a full investigation.
Writing on social media on Saturday, Semenyo, who scored two goals before Liverpool claimed a 4-2 win, said: “Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever – not because of one person’s words, but because of how the entire football family stood together.
“To my @afcb team-mates who supported me in that moment, to the @liverpoolfc players and fans who showed their true character, to the @premierleague officials who handled it professionally – thank you. Football showed its best side when it mattered most.
“Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play – for moments like these, for my team-mates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.
“The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together.”
Despite the racial abuse, Semenyo netted a brace despite Liverpool’s 4-2 win.
