Man Banned From UK Stadiums For Alleged Racial Abuse Of Semenyo

A 47-year-old man has been banned from all football stadiums in the UK after being arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during the Premier League opener against Liverpool at Anfield.

The match was briefly halted in the first half after Semenyo reported the abuse to the referee. Police arrested the man from Liverpool the following day on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. He has been released on bail with strict conditions, including staying at least a mile away from any football ground.

Investigations are ongoing, Merseyside Police confirmed on Monday.

Despite the incident, Semenyo scored twice as Bournemouth fought back from two goals down before eventually losing 4-2. The 25-year-old Ghana international later shared on social media that the night would remain unforgettable “because of how the entire football family stood together,” adding that “football showed its best side when it mattered most” while praising teammates, Liverpool players, supporters, and officials for their response.