Premier League chief Richard Masters warns racist abuse will result in ban and possible prosecution

LONDON – English Premier League chief executive Richard Masters issued a warning on Aug 16 that anyone guilty of racist abuse would be banned from stadiums and could face prosecution.

His comments came a day after Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo was the target of racist abuse during the Cherries’ 4-2 loss to Liverpool at Anfield.

“No Premier League footballer should ever have to, in their workplace or online, suffer that sort of abuse. It is important that we keep saying that,” Masters told BBC Sport.

“It is a problem for society. It leaks into football and it shouldn’t happen in a football stadium. It shouldn’t happen online.

“It makes people like me and other football people in charge of the game think twice about what else we can do to ensure that these things don’t happen in the future.

“If you are found to be using discriminatory language inside a football ground, you will be ejected, second you will be banned and third you may face criminal charges.”

The Aug 15 game was briefly halted in the 29th minute to address the incident, with referee Anthony Taylor summoning both managers to the touchline for a briefing.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Bournemouth counterpart Adam Smith were then called over to the benches for further instructions before play resumed four minutes later.

Ghana international Semenyo went on to score twice after play resumed to level the score briefly.

He revealed that he has been racially abused online after the game.

Premier League players have taken a knee before matches as part of anti-racism campaigns in recent seasons, but Smith said the message is still not getting through.

Tottenham Hotspur condemned the online racist abuse directed towards Mathys Tel on Aug 13 after he missed a penalty in Spurs’ Uefa Super Cup shoot-out defeat by Paris Saint-Germain.

“He’s (Semenyo) a little bit down. Something needs to be done. Taking a knee has taken no effect,” Smith said.

“We’ve had discussions with the Premier League about it, so they have been taking it seriously. I don’t know what else we can do. We’ve been doing it for a long time now and no one is getting it. I just feel sorry for Ant and he’s had to take that. The whole country is watching and it’s shocking.”

Merseyside Police confirmed that the 47-year-old man from Liverpool who was ejected after the incident has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and taken into custody to be interviewed.

Semenyo thanked his teammates, Liverpool, match officials and the “entire football family” for their support in a statement on Aug 16.

“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,” the 25-year-old wrote on Instagram.

“To my Bournemouth teammates who supported me in that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials who handled it professionally – thank you.

“Football showed its best side when it mattered most.”

Fifa president Gianni Infantino condemned the racist abuse directed at Semenyo, saying the world football governing body would reach out to the Ghana international to offer support.

“Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination – Antoine’s courage and performance on the pitch, despite such adversity, is a powerful example of strength and dignity for players worldwide,” Infantino said in a statement.

“The players’ voice panel, established as part of the five pillars against racism adopted by Fifa congress in 2024, will be in touch with Antoine and is monitoring these situations closely.

“We are committed to ensuring that players are respected and protected, and that competition organisers and law enforcement authorities take appropriate action.” REUTERS, AFP