'Totally unacceptable' - Bournemouth captain Adam Smith slams racist abuse directed at team-mate Antoine Semenyo during Liverpool defeat

The Ghanaian forward, visibly shaken, pointed out the abuse to the match officials, prompting Taylor to consult both managers, Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola, along with captains Virgil van Dijk and Smith. Moments later, a 47-year-old man was ejected from the stadium. Merseyside Police later confirmed that a full investigation was underway.

Bournemouth skipper Adam Smith did not hold back after the match, slamming the incident as a disgrace to the sport.

“Totally unacceptable,” Smith said furiously. "I'm in shock that it happened. In this day and age, it shouldn't be happening. I don't know how Ant has played on and come up with those goals. I feel sorry for Ant. He's a little bit down. Something needs to be done. Taking a knee is not having an effect. We'll support him in there and hopefully he'll be okay.

"I wanted him (Semenyo) to react because that's what I would have done. I would have gone straight over there. It shows what type of man he is to not react, even in the moment when it happened to not react, to carry on, then he reported it to the ref. To come up with those goals shows what type of guy he is and what type of character he has. Fair play to Ant.

"It's more angry, to be honest. Shocked. I said to the ref I wanted him (the supporter) removed immediately. He said we have to go through a process and the police will sort it. The Liverpool players were very supportive as well to Antoine and the rest of the team. I think it was handled in the right way, but just so angry.

"We've had discussions with the Premier League [about discriminatory comments] so they've been taking it seriously, but speaking to some of the lads in there, I don't know what else we can do. We've been doing it for a long time now and no one is getting it. I don't know what to say anymore. I just feel sorry for Ant, who has had to take that tonight. The whole country is watching and for that to happen is shocking."

Liverpool manager Slot assured that the club will co-operate in full measure and said: "It's under investigation with the police now. We've made a very clear statement. This day should be about Diogo (Jota) and the tribute, but we have to address this. It's unacceptable. I spoke to him (Semenyo) after the game to say we will do everything to find this person and wherever we can we will try to help. Credit to him, he's very strong mentally, to get such a strong second-half performance after this shows the kind of player he is. Unacceptable in football in general, let alone at Anfield."

Despite the incident, Semenyo’s resilience shone through on the pitch as he found the net twice. Following the game, which Liverpool won 4-2, Semenyo addressed the incident himself on Instagram. The striker revealed he had also been targeted online with monkey emojis under one of his photos.“When will it stop?” Semenyo wrote, along with the comment, summing up the frustration felt by so many players who continue to face racism in football.

@antoinesemenyo42 Instagram

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also expressed support for Semenyo and said: "I spoke to him during and after the game. I'm glad that the authorities are dealing with it. I told him anything he needs from us, we are here for him. I stand by him. It will be dealt with by the authorities and the club. I can speak for all Liverpool fans that these things can't happen and they will all agree that Antoine needs our support."

The Premier League quickly issued a statement confirming the incident was being treated under its anti-discrimination protocol. "Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. This is in line with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol," the Premier League said in a statement.

"The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all."

The Football Association echoed the sentiment, stressing that they were “very concerned” and would work closely with officials, the clubs, and law enforcement to ensure the strongest action possible.

"We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd, which was reported to the match officials during the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Bournemouth," the FA said in a statement.

"Incidents of this nature have no place in our game, and we will work closely with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken."