Liverpool vs Bournemouth halted after alleged racist comment from crowd to Cherries star

The opening Premier League fixture of the new season was stopped by referee Anthony Taylor after Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo reported an alleged racist comment from the crowd.

Semenyo made the official aware of the incident and Taylor paused the game and went over to speak to both benches. Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury confirmed the reason for the stoppage.

After brief discussions, the game resumed and Semenyo remained on the pitch. Shortly afterwards, Reds new boy Hugo Ekitike fired the home side in front.

But Semenyo struck twice himself after the break to drag Bournemouth level after Cody Gakpo had given the Reds a two-goal cushion.

Following the earlier incident, Drury said: "I am told by the Match Centre, the Premier League Match Centre, that Antoine Semenyo was subject to a racist comment from the crowd.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher fumes at VAR controversy after just 14 MINUTES of new season

READ MORE: Anfield pays tribute to Diogo Jota and brother as tragic star's wife and kids attend opener

"Of which, of course, nobody on either side, or indeed anywhere, is approving. So, sympathy from Liverpool, beyond which, at this stage, nothing to report.

"What I can tell you, also, is that it was Semenyo himself who brought the referee's attention to it."

A Premier League statement said: "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 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 FA added: "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. 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."

It came after an emotional start to the proceedings when Anfield paid tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. The match is Liverpool's first in the Premier League since the duo died in a car crash in Spain.

The tragic star's wife and children were also on Merseyside for the match. Jota died just days after the star was married to long-term partner Rute Cardoso.

Fans unfurled a tifo in tribute to both men, while some on the Kop held a banner reading: "Rute, Dinis, Duate, Matalda - Anfield will always be your home. You’ll never walk alone."

The game was struck by controversy after only 14 minutes when Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi escaped a red card for handball.

Senesi appeared to stick an arm out after the ball bounced off his body, preventing Hugo Ekitike getting a run at goal.

Referee Taylor gave nothing in real time and the video assistant referee was called in to look at the incident. Those in the VAR room didn't feel further action was needed, but Carragher disagreed.

“We can hear what the VAR are saying. They’re saying it’s come off his leg and hit his hand like you can’t do anything about it," Carragher said during Sky Sports' coverage. "But it’s not. He realises he’s got a massive problem and he puts his arm towards the ball.

“How the VAR can say that. I really don’t like seeing people sent off, that’s a last resort. But what I’ve just heard from the VAR did not happen. There’s plenty of time and he throws his hand at it. The information the referee got was not correct.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot appeared frustrated by the incident. He cut an animated figure on the touchline but Liverpool had to continue without a decision going their way.

The Premier League Match Centre shared an explanation for Senesi avoiding punishment. "The referee’s call of no red card to Senesi was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action deemed not to be a clear handball offence nor denial of a goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO), due to the distance from goal," it said.

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