Liverpool’s opening match of the Premier League season was marred by a man allegedly racially abusing Antoine Semenyo as the Bournemouth player prepared to take a throw in during the first half of the match at Anfield. The match was briefly halted several minutes later after Semenyo reported the incident as both managers were informed of the situation, and a man was removed from the match by Merseyside Police at halftime.
After the match, it was revealed that a 47 year old man was taken into custody and arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offense. After the match, Merseyside Police and Liverpool FC provided statements saying that the club would be supporting the police in an investigation into the matter.
On Monday the BBC revealed that the man had been released on conditional bail with the investigation ongoing. One of the main stipulations of the bail agreement was a ban on attending any “regulated football match” in the UK, as well as not going within a mile of “a designated football stadium”. Those conditions equate to a full stadium ban within the UK while the investigation continues and a court case is likely brought forward.
While the ban is conditional for now, it is good to see swift action being taken. Too many times in the past we have seen instances of racial abuse ignored or given minimal action, often leaving players jaded that they would be believed and significant action would ever be taken. Hopefully the investigation will take its course and sufficient punishment meted out in due time.