Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has condemned the racial abuse aimed at AFC Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo, pledging his full support to the Ghana international.
Semenyo was targeted during Friday night’s Premier League opener at Anfield, forcing the match to be temporarily halted in the 29th minute after the forward reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor.
Despite the disruption, play resumed, and Semenyo went on to score twice, although Bournemouth eventually fell 4-2 to Liverpool.
“I am here for Antoine, whenever he needs it, and we are here as a club to deal with it in the best way possible because it shouldn’t happen,” the Dutch defender told Sky Sports.
“But we stand with him completely,” he added.
Merseyside Police confirmed that a 47-year-old man was arrested on Saturday in connection with the incident.
Both Liverpool and Bournemouth, along with the Premier League, have strongly condemned the abuse, with the league launching a full investigation.
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