FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the Player’s voice panel has come out in support of Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo condemning the racial abuse against him in the English Premier League opening fixture against Liverpool.
The apex football body would reach out to the Ghana international to offer their support.
Semenyo was targeted by a man in the crowd at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium during the first half on Friday, with referee Anthony Taylor stopping play to address the incident. Taylor spoke to both managers and captains before play resumed.
Later, the Merseyside Police confirmed that the 47-year-old had been ejected from Anfield. On Saturday, the police confirmed that the man from Liverpool has been arrested on the suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and taken into custody to be interviewed.
On Saturday, Semenyo thanked his teammates, Liverpool, match officials and the “entire football family” for their support.
“Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination – Antoine’s courage and performance on the pitch, despite such adversity, is a powerful example of strength and dignity for players worldwide,” Infantino said in a statement.”The Players’ Voice Panel, established as part of the five pillars against racism adopted by FIFA Congress in 2024, will be in touch with Antoine and is monitoring these situations closely.
“We are committed to ensuring that players are respected and protected, and that competition organisers and law enforcement authorities take appropriate action.”
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Semenyo also revealed that he had been racially absued online after the game resulting in Premier League chief executive Richard Masters also issuing a warning on Saturday that anyone guilty of racist abuse would be banned from stadiums and could face prosecution.
Otherwise, it was solid game for Semenyo who started the comeback of Bournemouth after his team of 0-2 down. But despite a brace from Semenyo in the second half, Bournemouth lost 2-4 courtesy of two late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohammed Salah.
Earlier, racially aggravated public order offence and taken into custody to be interviewed. Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo had given the 2-0 lead to Liverpool which became 2-2 after Semenyo’s second half blitz.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
