Ghanaian striker Antoine Semenyo has called for harsher punishments, including possible jail terms, to curb the persistent issue of racism in football.
The Bournemouth forward’s appeal comes in the wake of a distressing episode during his team’s Premier League opener against Liverpool at Anfield. Despite netting twice in the Cherries’ 4-2 loss, the 24-year-old said the incident overshadowed his performance. Semenyo reported the abuse to referee Anthony Taylor, prompting swift action from authorities.
Merseyside Police confirmed the arrest of a 47-year-old man on suspicion of an aggravated public order offence. The individual, later released on bail, has been banned from attending regulated football fixtures across the UK while investigations continue.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the ordeal, Semenyo criticised the football establishment’s response to racism.
“Whatever the Premier League are doing, it’s not enough and there’s more that needs to be done,” he told ITV News.
He went further, stressing the need for stronger deterrents that would send a clear message to offenders. “It could be jail time, it could be banned from stadiums for a lifetime, it could be anything along the lines of that, but I feel like there has to be something else,” he added.
Semenyo’s comments add to the growing calls for football to adopt more severe measures in tackling discrimination, both on and off the pitch.
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