Merseyside Police announced on Saturday that they had arrested a man after reports of racist abuse targeting Antoine Semenyo during Liverpool‘s 4-2 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League on Friday.
According to the report, a 47-year-old unnamed man was taken into custody on suspicion of a racially motivated public order offense.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, Bournemouth‘s Ghanaian winger Antoine Semenyo, who scored twice against the Reds, reported to match referee Anthony Taylor that he had heard racist abuse from a supporter.
Taylor then stopped the match for a few minutes to speak with the coaches and captains of each team, who decided to continue the game.
After the incident, the 25-year-old Cherries’ star posted a message on Instagram thanking all the messages of support he had received.
The Premier League has also announced that it is opening an investigation.
Semenyo, who was born in Chelsea, England, joined Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2023 and has scored 22 goals so far for the Cherries.
ARREST | We’ve arrested a man, 47, from Liverpool on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after reports racist abuse was directed at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo during their game against Liverpool on Friday 15 August.
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— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) August 16, 2025