Footballer reports racist abuse at Premier League opening game

Antoine Semenyo said he was racially abused during the opening game of the season

An investigation has started after a footballer said he was racially abused during the first game of the new Premier League season.

The game between Liverpool and Bournemouth was stopped in the first half, after Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo said he was racially abused by someone in the crowd at Anfield.

In a statement issued at full-time, the Football Association, who run English football said: "We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd"

After the game, Antoine Semenyo himself asked on social media: "When will it stop?"

What happened?

The referee stopped the game in the first half after Antoine Semenyo said he was racially abused by someone in the crowd

After being told about the abuse by Semenyo, referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the 29th minute, before talking to both of managers on the touchline.

Both of the team's captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith were called over to the benches to be told what had happened before the match resumed four minutes later.

Adam Smith said he was "shocked" by the incident and said that "something needs to be done".

He also said that the "Liverpool players were very supportive" towards Semenyo and the rest of the team.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk called the incident "a disgrace", adding: "The only thing we can do is deal with it by dealing with him personally and try to educate the next generation."

Antoine Semenyo scored twice as Bournemouth lost 4-2 at Liverpool

Merseyside Police said a 47-year-old man was thrown out of Anfield following reports of racist abuse directed towards Semenyo and it is now investigating.

In a statement the Football Association, added that "incidents of this nature have no place in our game".

Liverpool also issued a statement, saying they "condemn racism and discrimination in all forms" and the club "will support fully" the police investigation.

Anti-racism charity Kick It Out said "We stand in solidarity with Antoine and can't praise him enough for his courage in calling this out".

This comes after England defender Jess Carter revealed she was the target of racist abuse during Euro 2025.