FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come out to condemn the racist abuse aimed at AFC Bournemouth and Ghana international Antoine Semenyo.
The player was allegedly racially abused by a Liverpool fan on Friday as Bournemouth faced Liverpool FC in the opening game of the 2025/26 English Premier League.
Since then, several people in and around football have come out to condemn the act and continue to spread the positive message against racism.
Infantino is the latest to come out, indicating racism has no place in football.
“It is absolutely unacceptable to see the racist abuse aimed at AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo which led to a stoppage of their Premier League match against Liverpool FC at Anfield,” he said.
“Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination – Antoine’s courage and performance on the pitch, despite such adversity, is a powerful example of strength and dignity for players worldwide,” Added Infantino.
“The Players’ Voice Panel, established as part of the five pillars against racism adopted by FIFA Congress in 2024, will be in touch with Antoine and is monitoring these situations closely. We are committed to ensuring that players are respected and protected, and that competition organisers and law enforcement authorities take appropriate action. Everyone at FIFA, The Players’ Voice Panel and the whole football community stands firmly with Antoine and we will continue to offer our unequivocal support to him, Bournemouth, the Premier League and The FA to ensure strong deterrents are in place, and actions taken, to eradicate racism and discrimination from our game,” reads the statement from the FIFA boss.
The statement underlines FIFA’s ongoing commitment to combating racism while standing in solidarity with players who continue to face abuse on and off the pitch.