Liverpool fan named and charged after alleged racist abuse of Antoine Semenyo

A supporter has been charged with the alleged racial abuse of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo. The forward reported being abused during Liverpool's 4-2 win over Bournemouth at Anfield in August.

"We can confirm that a Liverpool man has been charged in connection with an incident during a Liverpool FC match at Anfield in August," Merseyside Police said in a statement.

"Mark Mogan, 47, of Templehill Close, Dovecot, has been charged with Racially Aggravated Section 5 Public Order against AFC Bournemouth player Antoine Semenyo, during the Premier League match on Saturday 16 August.

"Mogan has been conditionally bailed and will next appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday 22 December."

The match was halted in the first half after Semenyo reported that a supporter had said something to him. He bravely played on and produced a remarkable performance , scoring twice in the second half as Bournemouth pegged the defending champions back at 2-2 before succumbing to defeat.

An arrest was made on August 18 in connection with the allegation and the man was then banned from every stadium in the country.

Ghana international Semenyo, 25, scored twice at Anfield in the match and later posted an emotional statement about what had happened to him. "Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever - not because of one person's words, but because of how the entire football family stood together," he said.

"To my @afcb team-mates who supported me in that moment, to the @liverpoolfc players and fans who showed their true character, to the @premierleague officials who handled it professionally - thank you. Football showed its best side when it mattered most.

"Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play - for moments like these, for my team-mates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.

"The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together."

Semenyo was later interviewed by ITV on the subject of racial abuse and said: "I feel like the punishment isn't enough when things like this happen. I feel like people do get away with it."

Asked what punishment he would like to see, he replied: "It could be jail time, it could be banned from stadiums for a lifetime, it could be anything along the lines of that, but I feel like there has to be something else."

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