Man denies racist abuse of Semenyo at Anfield, court hears

A 47-year-old man has denied shouting a racist insult at Antoine Semenyo during a Premier League match at Anfield last season.

Mark Mogan, of Templehill Close, Dovecot, Liverpool, denies racially aggravated behaviour. His trial opened at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, where prosecutors set out what is alleged to have happened during Liverpool's home game against Bournemouth on 15 August 2025.

Semenyo was playing for Bournemouth that night. He is now described by the BBC as a Manchester City winger. About 30 minutes into the match, he went to take a throw-in in front of the Main Stand.

That is when the abuse is said to have happened. Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court Semenyo briefly froze after hearing the insult. When the ball next went out of play, the player reported it to referee Anthony Taylor.

Play was halted for a short period while the report was dealt with, an incident first reported that night by Reuters. Merseyside Police later began an investigation.

The court heard Mogan uses a wheelchair. He was removed from the stadium at half-time. Witnesses said he also threw chewing gum toward Semenyo, which hit the right side of the player's shorts.

Police interviewed Mogan the day after the game. The court heard he said he had only shouted at Semenyo to hurry up with the throw. He also claimed Semenyo had called him "a cripple" and said he threw the gum onto the floor, not at the player.

The prosecution told the court Mogan lied in that interview. Semenyo is expected to give evidence during the trial over a videolink. The case continues.

Semenyo spoke about the issue shortly after the Anfield game. He said players found guilty of racist abuse in football should face prison sentences, according to BBC Sport.

For fans, this is a reminder of how quickly a match can stop being about football. A throw-in. A pause. A report to the referee. The trial will now decide what was said and what happens next.