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| APYonhap News |
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| EPAYonhap News |
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In the opening game of the English Premier League (EPL), police were dispatched due to racist acts.
The match between Liverpool and Bournemouth in Anfield on the 16th (Korea time) was suspended 30 minutes after the start of the game. With Bournemouth striker Antoine Semeno going to the sideline for a throw-in, one spectator made a racist rant at him. Semeno informed the referee, who explained the situation to the managers of both teams while suspending the game. The spectator was taken away by police who arrived at the scene after the first half.
In the midst of this, Semeno scored multiple goals. Semeno, who scored the first goal in the 19th minute of the second half when his team was trailing 0-2, even hit an equalizer in the 31st minute of the second half, demonstrating force. Bournemouth lost 2-4 to Liverpool at the end of the second half, but Semeno's performance, who scored multiple goals even in a chaotic situation, was impressive.
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| EPAYonhap News |
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Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said after the game: "It was a shock that could not happen. In this situation, it is not easy to guess how Semeno could have scored two goals while continuing to play." Liverpool manager Arne Slot said "Semeno, who showed great performance even though this happened, is a player that I can only praise."
EPL has made various efforts to eradicate racism, such as making players make anti-racism gestures before the game and exposing related phrases. However, related problems have been raised every season by some fans. The issue of racism that has occurred since the opening game is proof that the efforts made in the EPL have not been effective. Eventually, the public authority intervened and solved the problem. However, concerns are bound to grow in that such a situation can recur at any time.
Semeno, who has Ghanaian parents, made his professional debut with Bristol in 2018 and moved to Bournemouth in 2023. He chose the Ghana national team in 2022 and has scored three goals in 27 A matches so far.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
