Racist abuse mars dramatic Liverpool win packed with Jota tributes

📅 Published: August 16, 2025

Curated by AllZimNews.com

They were soon joined by the two captains, Virgil Van Dijk and Adam Smith.

A Liverpool official spoke at length with the referee.

The remaining players huddled around for a drinks break.

Over the tannoy it was announced that “Operation Anfield Exercise” had commenced.

Referee Anthony Taylor stopped play after Antoine Semenyo reported the incident (Photo: PA) As the game resumed, it was soon confirmed that Antoine Semenyo, the Bournemouth forward, had reported that he was subjected to racist abuse from a member of the crowd.

Football should hang its head in shame.

Just before kick-off in the second half, a man was escorted out of the stadium by police.

Investigations will be launched, by the Premier League and the authorities.

Hopefully the man will never be allowed back in a football stadium again.

Premier League and Liverpool statements Premier League: “The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated.

We offer our full support to the player and both clubs.

Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. “We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. ” Liverpool FC: “We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, it has no place in society or football. “The club is unable to comment further as tonight’s alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully. ” It was a nasty, unnecessary blight on an otherwise emotionally charged night, as Anfield came together to pay its respects to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, his brother, in the first Premier League game since their death.

Before the game, thousands spent time at the memorial area on the small triangle of grass outside the Sir Kenny Dalglish stand.

A minute’s silence before kick-off was impeccably observed – a rare thing in football, these days.

During it, both sets of players, wearing black armbands, stood around the centre circle, while fans created giant mosaics, in the red and green of Portugal.