By: Kwame Bediako
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has firmly condemned the racist abuse aimed at AFC Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo during Friday’s Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield.
The abuse forced a stoppage in the game and sparked widespread outrage within the football community, highlighting the ongoing challenge racism poses in the sport.
Infantino called the abuse “absolutely unacceptable,” stressing that racism and discrimination have no place in football. He lauded Semenyo’s courage and composure throughout the incident, praising the player’s resilience as a powerful example of strength and dignity for footballers facing similar adversity globally.
As part of FIFA’s commitment to fighting racism, Infantino emphasized the role of The Players’ Voice Panel, created following the adoption of five anti-racism pillars at the 2024 FIFA Congress.
This panel is maintaining close contact with Semenyo and continues to monitor the situation, ensuring players’ rights, safety, and dignity are protected.
“Everyone at FIFA, The Players’ Voice Panel, and the entire football community stands firmly with Antoine. We will continue to offer our full support to him, to Bournemouth, the Premier League, and The FA. Strong deterrents must be in place, and meaningful action must follow, to eliminate racism and discrimination from our game”; Infantino said.
This disturbing episode underscores the urgent need for more decisive action beyond symbolic gestures.
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