A 71-year-old Everton supporter has been arrested following allegations of racist abuse directed at Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo during Monday's Premier League clash at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The match, which ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw, was marred by the incident that prompted swift action from stewards and fellow fans.
Arrest and Investigation
Merseyside Police confirmed the arrest on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. The suspect was subsequently bailed with strict conditions, including a ban from attending any designated sports stadiums during match times. The investigation remains ongoing, with police appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Club Statements
Manchester City issued a strong condemnation of the alleged abuse, stating: "We are appalled by the racist abuse directed at Antoine Semenyo. Such behaviour has no place in football or society. We offer our full support to Antoine and also to Marc Guehi, who was subjected to vile racist social media posts after a mistake that led to Everton's first goal."
Everton FC also released a statement, reiterating their zero-tolerance policy: "Everton is disgusted by the alleged racist abuse. We condemn all forms of discrimination and will cooperate fully with the police. The individual has been banned from Goodison Park pending the outcome of the investigation."
Background
The incident occurred during a high-stakes encounter that saw both teams share the spoils. Semenyo, who joined City in the summer, was targeted by a fan in the stands, leading to immediate intervention by stewards. The arrest comes amid a wider crackdown on discriminatory behaviour in English football, with clubs and authorities working together to eradicate racism from the sport.
Manchester City praised the swift action of stewards and fans who reported the abuse, and urged anyone with information to contact Merseyside Police. The club also highlighted the impact of online abuse, with Guehi receiving hateful messages after his error. City confirmed they are supporting both players and working with social media platforms to address the issue.
