A 47-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of racially abusing Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during the opening game of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Mark Morgan, who plays for Liverpool’s Dovecot, was charged with racially aggravated public order offenses during the match at Anfield on Friday 15th August.
Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday that his trial is due to take place on April 22 next year and that Mr Semenyo is also expected to attend the trial.
Mr. Mogan, who appeared in court in person, spoke only to confirm his name and address and give his plea.
Mr Morgan was released on bail on the condition that he not have any direct or indirect contact with Mr Semenyo or mention him on social media.
As part of his bail conditions, he was also prohibited from attending regulated football pitches, the court heard.
Semenyo reported to referee Anthony Taylor that he had been racially abused by spectators in the Premier League opener, and play was stopped in the 29th minute, leading to a man being sent off from Anfield.
At the time of the incident, Liverpool manager Arn Slott and Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola were approached by Taylor and the game was temporarily suspended.
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher called the incident “despicable” in commentary, with Neville saying: “It overshadows what should have been a great night, the first day of the Premier League season. That boy is (reportedly) being racially abused.”
“It’s a despicable act. But it happened and it will continue to happen. It’s an unfortunate situation.”
Kick It Out CEO Holly Varney praised Semenyo’s reaction to the situation and the way the Bournemouth forward handled himself during the match.
“Semenyo’s reaction was great,” Varney told Sky Sports News. “It was incredibly moving. This action must be led by the football authorities and those responsible. It should not be the players’ responsibility to deal with the problem.”
“We shouldn’t expect abuse to happen just by going to work. What we want is a consistent framework for how to deal with abuse and its consequences.”
Semenyo said the response to the incident showed that football is at its best “when it matters most”. The incident was strongly condemned by representatives of both teams, and the Premier League announced it would launch a full investigation.
Semenyo, who scored twice as Liverpool won 4-2, said on social media: “The memories of last night at Anfield will last forever. Not because of anyone’s words, but because of the united attitude of the whole football family.”
“I would like to thank my Bournemouth team-mates for supporting me in that moment, the Liverpool players and fans for showing their true selves and everyone at the Premier League for treating me so professionally. Football showed its best side when it mattered most.”
“Scoring those two goals felt like I was speaking the only words on the pitch that really mattered. This is why I play – for moments like this, for my teammates and for everyone who believes that this beautiful game can happen.”
“Seeing the overwhelming messages of support from across the football world has reminded me of why I love this sport. Together we will continue to move forward.”
