Manchester City Back Antoine Semenyo After Renewed Racist Abuse
Antoine Semenyo has received support from Manchester City after the forward revealed he has once again been targeted with racist abuse online—an issue that continues to plague football despite ongoing efforts to eradicate it.
The 26-year-old Ghana international took to Instagram earlier this week, posting a screenshot of a hateful message alongside the caption, “It’s started again.” His post quickly drew attention across the football community, sparking renewed conversations about racism on social media and the need for stronger action.
This is not the first time Semenyo has had to deal with such abuse this season. During the opening weekend of the campaign, while playing for AFC Bournemouth against Liverpool FC, the forward reported being racially abused by a supporter inside the stadium. The incident was serious enough for referee Anthony Taylor to temporarily halt the match.
Despite the disturbing circumstances, Semenyo delivered a strong performance on the pitch, scoring twice in what ended as a 4–2 defeat for Bournemouth. His resilience in the face of adversity was widely praised, but the incident highlighted the persistent issue of racism in football.
Following that match, a 47-year-old man, Mark Mogan, was arrested by Merseyside Police and charged with a racially aggravated public order offence. He denied the allegation during a court appearance at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court in December. The case is expected to proceed to trial on April 22.
In response to the latest online abuse, the Premier League issued a strong statement condemning the actions. The league described the abuse as “unacceptable” and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Semenyo and tackling discrimination in all forms.
Football authorities emphasized that racism has no place in the sport or society at large, stressing the importance of collaboration between clubs, governing bodies, law enforcement agencies, and social media platforms. They also reiterated that individuals found guilty of such offences could face severe consequences, including bans from football matches, criminal records, and even custodial sentences.
Similarly, The Football Association echoed the Premier League’s stance, condemning the abuse and pledging continued efforts to combat racism across all levels of the game.
Semenyo, known for his pace, strength, and attacking versatility, has steadily built a reputation as one of the Premier League’s promising forwards. His journey—from rising through the ranks to representing Ghana on the international stage—has been marked by determination and consistency. However, incidents like these serve as a stark reminder of the challenges many players still face beyond the pitch.
As the football world rallies around him, the hope remains that stronger enforcement, greater accountability, and collective action will help bring an end to racism in the sport once and for all.
