An Everton fan was apprehended as a consequence of claimed racist attacks on Semenyo at a game against Manchester City. The 71-year-old fan was arrested following a reported racist abuse incident at the Premier League game against Manchester City and Ghanaian player, Antoine Semenyo. The match between Everton and Manchester City ended in a draw, with three goals each, at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and on the same night as the alleged racist attack that has seen intervention from the club as well as law enforcement agencies.
According to a statement issued by Merseyside Police, a Nottinghamshire man has been detained on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. The report was received by stewards and spectators from other fans in the stadium that racist comments were made from the stands. Merseyside Police also stated that a full investigation is currently underway, and the police are working closely with Everton Football Club to obtain any evidence of the attack.
The supporter has been released from custody on bail, subject to strict conditions that prohibit them from entering within a mile radius of a designated sports stadium during the match and four hours either side of it. Merseyside Police mentioned that these conditions are set to restrict the suspect to minimize further racial attacks. Everton Football Club stated that “Behaviour of this nature will not be tolerated,” and the club will be “taking the strongest possible action” against anyone found to be responsible for such actions. “Racism and discrimination in all forms are completely unacceptable. They have no place in our stadia, our sport, or in society,” said the club in a statement.
The current match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as detailed above, is not the first time Semenyo has suffered racist abuse in this current season. While playing for Bournemouth earlier this season against Liverpool, the 26-year-old reported receiving insults from a spectator and, following the match, urged for stronger penalties for the offender. The footballer later requested potentially severe punishments, including prison terms for offenders guilty of racist abuse, stating that existing deterrents are inadequate in eliminating racism in football.
In the meantime, Manchester City also issued a statement condemning the alleged racist attack on Semenyo and complimenting Everton and Merseyside Police for their quick response. Furthermore, England defender Marc Guehi was reportedly subject to the same treatment from online trolls following the same game against Everton. Manchester City expressed how “Incredibly disappointed to hear that Marc Guehi was targeted with vile racist posts online,” and affirmed how they would continue to offer their full support to both players involved in racist attacks, “will never accept discrimination of any kind in our game.”
The Premier League is facing an escalating wave of accusations concerning its failure to adequately address racism within the game on various levels, both offline in stadium facilities and online on various social platforms. Racism and abuse continue to happen despite anti-racist campaigns like ‘Kick it Out’ and ‘No Room for Racism’, leading to louder calls for strict enforcement of rules and better education. Both football players, fans, and clubs have called for unified action to stop racism in sport, both before and during the two teams matches, which still stand by the claims of the two players, in which both clubs will continue to support and promote fairness in sport while these investigations are ongoing. With the game between the two clubs now over, it can once again be made evident that world football has still got a great deal to do to provide football in the stadium as well as in front of a screen, a safe environment for fans.
