Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo subjected to racist abuse

Ghana international forward Antoine Semenyo has once again been subjected to racist abuse on social media, highlighting the persistent and deeply troubling problem of online discrimination in football.

The 26-year-old striker shared a screenshot on his official Instagram story, publicly exposing the offensive message he received from a user following a recent match in which he failed to deliver the expected impact.

The comment, which contained a racial slur and a monkey emoji, was posted under one of his recent updates and quickly drew attention after Semenyo decided to bring it to light rather than ignore it.

According to the screenshot shared by the player, the abusive message suggested that the forward would only “learn how to play football” after being benched for an extended period, ending with a racist insult that immediately sparked outrage among fans online.

Rather than responding with anger, Semenyo simply added a short but emotionally heavy caption over the post: “It’s started again” accompanied by a thoughtful emoji—an expression that reflected frustration, fatigue, and disappointment at the recurring nature of such abuse.

The incident is the latest in a series of racist attacks directed at Black footballers across Europe and beyond, many of which continue to surface after matches or public performances. Despite ongoing campaigns by football governing bodies, clubs, and players themselves, social media platforms remain a hotspot for discriminatory behaviour.

Semenyo’s decision to publicly share the message has once again reignited discussions about accountability for online abuse. Many supporters and observers argue that stronger measures are needed from both social media companies and football authorities to track, identify, and ban offenders who hide behind anonymous profiles.

The forward, who has steadily grown into an important figure for both club and country, has previously spoken about the pressures of professional football, but this latest incident adds another emotional burden to an already demanding career.

Fans and fellow professionals have since rallied around him, condemning the abuse and expressing solidarity. The incident serves as yet another reminder of the challenges Black players continue to face off the pitch, even as they deliver performances at the highest level of the game.

As investigations and reactions continue to unfold online, Semenyo’s message remains clear and haunting in its simplicity: the fight against racism in football is far from over.