Man charged with racially aggravated public order offence during Premier League match
A 47-year-old man from Liverpool has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence following an incident involving Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during a Premier League fixture at Anfield, reports BritPanorama.
Mark Mogan, whose address is listed as Templehill Close in the Dovecot area of the city, faces the charge in connection with alleged racial abuse directed at the Cherries striker. The incident occurred during Liverpool’s commanding 4-2 victory over the south coast club on Saturday 16 August.
Semenyo, who netted twice during the encounter, reported the alleged abuse to match officials during the game. Following the match, Merseyside Police confirmed the charge in an official statement, noting that Mogan has been granted conditional bail ahead of his appearance at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday 22 December.
The investigation moved swiftly following the match, with an arrest made just two days later on 18 August. In a significant additional measure, Mogan was subsequently prohibited from attending any football ground across the country. “We can confirm that a Liverpool man has been charged in connection with an incident during a Liverpool FC match at Anfield in August,” the force stated.
In the aftermath of the match, Semenyo shared a heartfelt message reflecting on the experience and the solidarity shown by those around 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. The Ghana international expressed gratitude towards his Bournemouth teammates, Liverpool players and supporters, as well as Premier League officials for their handling of the situation. “Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch,” Semenyo added.
Semenyo has had a fine season with Bournemouth, scoring six times and assisting three in the Premier League. Liverpool, meanwhile, have struggled in recent weeks under Arne Slot, who has come under immense pressure. Mohamed Salah recently added fuel to the fire with an explosive interview, saying that the club had “thrown him under the bus” after being benched by Slot three games in a row.
In football, as in life, moments of unity often arise from the darkest shadows, a reminder that the sport must forever strive to overcome hate.
