Antoine Semenyo van Bournemouth broke his silence after he was reportedly racially abused while playing against Liverpool in Anfield.
The Premier League came on an exciting start when the Reds conquered the challenging cherries to win 4-2 on Friday evening.
But what was a thorough entertaining game was demonstrably overshadowed by the shocking incident reported by Semenyo in the 28th minute.
While the talented Ghanian International prepared to take a throw -in, he seemed to be checked on the sidelines by a Liverpool fan.
After Semenyo brought the alleged abuse to the attention of referee Anthony Taylor, the match was temporarily paused with the scoring level at 0-0.
The supporter, which claimed that it was in a wheelchair in the bottom row of Anfield's main standard, was accompanied from the stadium.
During the interruption, the teammates and opponents of Semenyo were seen who gathered around him while he decided to continue playing. Liverpool wing player Cody Gakpo in particular was seen with the 25-year-old.
Semenyo has now pronounced for the first time on his social media since the shocking incident.
He wrote in a statement on X: 'Last night in Anfield will stay with me forever – not because of the words of one person, but because of how the entire football family stood together.
'To the @Livepoolfc players and fans who showed their true character, to the @premierleague officials who have treated it professionally -thanks to my @AFCBOURNEMOUSE who supported me at that time. Football showed its best side when it mattered the most.
'Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that is really important on the field. That is why I play – for such moments, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this wonderful game can be.
'The overwhelming support for support from the entire football world reminds me why I love this sport. We continue to move forward together. '
The 25-year-old also shared three images with powerful statements.
It was read: 'Unity is the most important. Support flowed in and keeps doing this. I thank supporters, officials, teammates, friends and family. '
Another read: 'Football is my passion. Nothing will change that. Nothing will stop me. '
The third image said: 'Together. Today and tomorrow. Is the only way. It's how we continue. '
The abuse to Semenyo did not stop when the fan was accompanied from Anfield on Friday.
Responding to another mean racist remark left after the game on his Instagram account, the football player posted on his stories: “When will it stop …”
Despite the subject of the alleged abuse, the winger was at the top of his competition on the opening day of the season.
After Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo had set up the 2-0 of the host, the game seemed dead and buried.
But Semenyo shot back with a brace, including an incredibly solo goal that was shot past Allison in the goal of Liverpool.
However, it was not enough for Andoni Iraola, when late strikes by Federico Chiesa and Mo Salah the side of Arne Slot all three points on the opening day of the season.
During the competition, the Premier League published an official statement in which the alleged abuse was ordered by Semenyo. It came after an anti-discriminatory message was read in Anfield.
'Tonight's game between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse of the crowd, focused in Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. This is in accordance with the anti-discrimination protocol of the Premier League's on-field, “read the explanation of the competition.
“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 somewhere in society.
“We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders and authorities to ensure that our stadiums are an inclusive and hospitable environment for everyone.”
During the break, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher also expressed contempt for the incident.
Neville said: 'It overshadows what a great evening should be, the first game of the Premier League season.
'That boy [Semenyo] Is actually racially abused and had to complain about it. It's despicable. I can't even think what would go by someone [to say that].
Carragher added: 'The amount of campaigns we have, racism out of the world, it is shocking to see such an incident.
“A shocking incident and rightly reported to the referee.”
After the last whistle, Neville said: 'There must be strong consequences. It's what the game does. We see many statements, but the most important thing is, what changes? '
Slot praised the fans present for expressing respect for the late Diogo Jota, and admitted that it was disappointing that such an incident gets the shine of a memorable night.
The Dutchman said: 'We don't want this in football, we don't want this in a stadium, but especially not in Anfield.
'It is unacceptable that something like that happens in a stadium, especially in Anfield. It decreases the shine – our fans were incredible with their tribute for Diogo.
“I didn't hear it, but it should certainly not happen in a stadium.”
In the other Dugout Iraola said: “Antoine, the referee, everyone explained the situation. The person has been identified.
'It was a great football game, everyone watches, and now we have to talk about these things. We should have been in this phase, but people don't behave correctly. Every step that you take together ahead, with this it loses a lot of strength.
“He did what he had to do. He said immediately, the referee explained the situation, I don't think he lost his mind, but in the following minutes he probably thought. It was a great shame that we had to talk about these things.
'The Liverpool managers, the players, they feel it. Even if it is a supporter in Liverpool, they don't want them with them. Everyone understands that these things have to be gone everywhere, especially from football. '
In his interview after the match, Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said: 'completely unacceptable, shocked that it happened at this time.
“It shouldn't happen. I don't know how Ant played and thinks those goals. It is totally unacceptable. I just feel sorry for ant. He is a bit down and to continue playing, something has to be done. Taking a knee has no effect. We support him and hopefully he will be fine.
“I wanted him to respond because that was what I would have done. I would have gone there immediately, but it shows what kind of man he is, not to respond in the moment and to continue. Thinking of those two goals shows the type of man he is.
“I felt angry. Shocked. I told the referee, I wanted him to be removed immediately, but they had to go through a trial and the police will sort it.
'The Liverpool players were very supportive compared to Antoine and the rest of the team. It was treated in the right way, but so angry.
'We had discussions about it with the Premier League, so they take it seriously. I don't know what else we can do! We've been doing it for a long time and nobody gets it. I don't know what to say anymore.
'I just feel sorry for Ant, that he had to take that tonight. The whole country looks and to happen is shocking. '
During the game, Liverpool also released a club statement to condemn the moment and revealed that a police investigation is underway.
It said: 'We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, it has no place in society or football. The club cannot comment further, because tonight's alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will fully support. '