Man arrested after Bournemouth's Semenyo reports racist abuse - ESPN

Merseyside police have confirmed they arrested a 47-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence following the report of abuse aimed at Antoine Semenyo during Bournemouth's 4-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Friday.

In a statement on Saturday, Merseyside police said that the suspect's identity was confirmed and he was removed from the stadium following the incident. He has been taken into custody for questioning.

The Premier League's opening game was briefly halted in the first half as referee Anthony Taylor went to report a complaint made by the Bournemouth winger.

Semenyo scored twice in the second half to help bring his side back from two goals down before the hosts went on to emerge victorious.

Earlier on Saturday, Semenyo thanked the «football family» for the support he received.

In a statement addressing the incident, which is the subject of Merseyside Police and Premier League investigations, Liverpool said: «We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, it has no place in society or football.»

A post shared by Antoine Semenyo (@antoinesemenyo42)

Semenyo shared a post on social media on Saturday that read: «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 @afcbournemouth teammates who supported me in that moment, to the @LiverpoolFC players and fans who showed their true character, to the @premierleague officials who handled it professionally — thank you. 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