'Last night will stay with me forever' - Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo speaks out on racist abuse & sends message to Liverpool fans

Semenyo was subjected to abuse from an individual fan in the Anfield crowd, who was identified and ejected following a pause in the game. The Bournemouth star was grateful to how the incident was handled. He praised his team-mates, the Liverpool players and the rest of the fans inside the stadium, as well as league officials.

After the incident, and with Bournemouth 2-0 down, Semenyo went on to score twice, what he described as "the only language that truly matters on the pitch". The 25-year-old said everything that followed, the overwhelming support, served to "remind" him why he loves football.

"Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever - not because of one person's words, but because of how the entire football family stood together. To my Bournemouth teammates who supported me in that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials who handled it professionally - thank you," Semenyo said in an X post.

"Football showed its best side when it mattered most. Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play - for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be. The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together."

Merseyside Police have confirmed that a man was ejected from Anfield following the reports of racist abuse. A police investigation is already underway, while the Premier League will also investigate the incident and offer support to both clubs.