Semenyo 'Froze' After Alleged Racist Abuse at Anfield, Court Told

Footballer Antoine Semenyo "froze" in disbelief after he was allegedly subjected to racist abuse by a Liverpool supporter at Anfield during the opening match of the Premier League season, Liverpool Magistrates' Court was told on Wednesday.

Semenyo, who was playing for Bournemouth at the time of the incident, was preparing to take a throw-in when the alleged abuse began. The prosecution said the 26-year-old winger reported what had happened to the match referee, Anthony Taylor, when the ball next went out of play, and the accused fan was removed from the stadium at half time.

The defendant, 47-year-old Mark Mogan, denies a charge of racially aggravated behaviour. Wednesday's proceedings were cut short when Mogan was taken to hospital during the lunch break, and the trial is now expected to resume at a later date.

The alleged incident at Anfield

Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court the alleged abuse happened about 30 minutes into the Liverpool–Bournemouth match on 15 August 2025, the first game of the 2025–26 Premier League season. Semenyo had gone to the touchline to take a throw-in in front of the Main Stand when he noticed Mogan, a wheelchair user, to his right-hand side.

According to the prosecution, Mogan shouted a racial slur at the footballer, telling him to hurry up and take the throw-in and calling him a "black bastard". Mr Jones said the abuse was shouted directly at Semenyo from close range.

"Mr Semenyo briefly froze as he couldn't believe what the male had said," the prosecutor told the court. Mogan then allegedly shouted "I'm talking to you, you c***", looking straight at the player. The court heard that Semenyo said nothing back and went to take the throw-in, but was "clearly hurt and upset" by what had been shouted at him.

The chewing-gum allegation and video evidence

Two short video clips of the incident were shown to the court. Mr Jones said the defendant could be seen in the footage in an "agitated and angry state". Witnesses told the court they saw Mogan take chewing gum from his mouth and throw it at Semenyo, striking him on the right side of his shorts.

The court heard that Semenyo waited until the ball went out of play before reporting the incident to referee Anthony Taylor. Mogan was then ejected from the ground at half time.

The defendant and his position

Mark Mogan, 47, is a Liverpool supporter who uses a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy, the court heard. He denies a charge of racially aggravated behaviour — an offence under which a racially or religiously aggravated element can increase the severity of an underlying public-order charge.

Trial interrupted: the defendant's hospital dash

Semenyo, who moved from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January, had been due to give evidence via videolink on Wednesday afternoon. During the lunch break, Mogan suffered a seizure and was taken to hospital by ambulance. The prosecution applied to continue the trial in the defendant's absence, but District Judge Dowrick refused the application. The case is expected to continue at a later date, when Mogan is fit to attend.

A familiar problem for English football

The case arrives against a long-running backdrop of racist abuse directed at Black footballers in England, both in stadiums and on social media. The Premier League operates reporting mechanisms for discriminatory behaviour at matches, and clubs routinely issue lifetime bans to supporters found guilty of racist abuse, alongside referrals to the police. Anti-racism campaigners argue, however, that incidents inside grounds continue at a troubling rate and that consistency of enforcement remains the key test.

What happens next

The trial will resume on a date yet to be fixed, once Mogan has recovered sufficiently to attend. When it does, Semenyo is expected to give his evidence by videolink, and the defence will have the opportunity to present its case. If convicted of racially aggravated behaviour, Mogan could face a criminal sentence, and Liverpool would be expected to consider a banning order preventing him from attending matches.

FAQs

What is Mark Mogan accused of?

Mark Mogan, a 47-year-old Liverpool supporter, is accused of racially aggravated behaviour during the Liverpool–Bournemouth match at Anfield on 15 August 2025. The prosecution alleges that he shouted a racial slur at Antoine Semenyo as the then-Bournemouth player prepared to take a throw-in, and that he subsequently threw chewing gum at him. Mogan, who uses a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy, denies the charge.

What did the court hear on Wednesday?

Prosecutor Simon Jones told Liverpool Magistrates' Court that Semenyo "briefly froze" on hearing the alleged abuse, said nothing in reply, and carried on with the throw-in while "clearly hurt and upset". The court was shown two video clips in which the defendant appeared agitated, heard a statement from a fellow fan who saw Mogan approach the pitch, and was told Semenyo reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor before Mogan was ejected at half time.

Why was the trial stopped?

Mogan suffered a seizure during the lunch break and was taken to hospital by ambulance. The prosecution asked District Judge Mary Dowrick to continue the trial in his absence, but she refused the application. The case will resume at a later date once the defendant is well enough to attend.

Has Semenyo given evidence yet?

Not yet. Semenyo, who joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in January, had been scheduled to testify by videolink on Wednesday afternoon after a morning work commitment, but the hearing was adjourned before his evidence could be heard. His account will be a key part of the case when the trial resumes.

What does this case say about racism in English football?

The case is the latest in a long series of alleged racist incidents involving Black players in English stadiums. The Premier League and the FA have reporting systems and sanctioning powers — including lifetime club bans and criminal referrals — but campaigners continue to argue that enforcement is inconsistent.