The opening game of the 2025/26 Premier League season was briefly halted in the first half after an allegation of racist abuse from the stands.
Liverpool, the reigning champions, hosted Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday night in an entertaining, end-to-end clash. The match was paused just before the half-hour mark when referee Anthony Taylor stopped play ahead of a Liverpool corner. Taylor headed to the touchline to consult with managers Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola after Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo reported hearing a racist remark from the crowd.
Commentator Peter Drury, on Sky Sports’ live coverage, relayed that the Premier League Match Centre had confirmed the incident involved abuse directed at Semenyo, who himself had drawn the referee’s attention to it. Stewards were also seen involved in the discussions. The winger, who had earlier been involved in a physical duel with Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, was comforted by his manager Iraola and teammates before the game resumed.
Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher strongly denounced the abuse during half-time analysis, with Neville calling the situation “despicable” and lamenting how it overshadowed the league’s curtain-raiser.
The Premier League later issued a statement on X confirming the pause was in line with their anti-discrimination protocol, adding:
“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. … 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.”
Despite the incident, the football continued. Liverpool’s new signing Hugo Ekitike opened his Premier League account with a goal in the 37th minute, putting the hosts ahead. His celebration was dedicated to the late Diogo Jota, who had been honored before kick-off with a special “You’ll Never Walk Alone” rendition, a minute’s silence, and a 20th-minute round of applause in his memory.
