Omanghana
Ghana international Antoine Semenyo briefly froze in disbelief after allegedly being racially abused by a supporter at Anfield, Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The allegation relates to an incident during Bournemouth’s Premier League season opener against Liverpool on August 15, 2025. Semenyo, who now plays for Manchester City, was preparing to take a throw-in about 30 minutes into the match when the alleged abuse occurred.
Mark Mogan, 47, of Dovecot, Liverpool, denies racially aggravated behaviour.
Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court that Mogan directed a racial slur at Semenyo while telling him to hurry up, before shouting further abuse.
The prosecution presented video footage said to show Mogan in an agitated and angry state. Witnesses also alleged that he removed chewing gum from his mouth and threw it at the footballer, striking his shorts.
Semenyo reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor, and the supporter was removed from the stadium at half-time.
Giving evidence, Liverpool supporter Neil Sherratt said he heard Mogan shout “hurry up” and saw Semenyo turn towards him with a shocked expression before responding: “You what?”
Another supporter described Mogan’s subsequent behaviour as “very cocky and brazen.”
The court also heard Mogan’s account from his police interview. Mogan, a wheelchair user who has cerebral palsy, maintained that he had only told Semenyo to hurry up.
He alleged that the player responded with a derogatory remark about his disability and said he threw his chewing gum onto the ground rather than at Semenyo. The prosecution disputed his account, alleging that he had lied during questioning.
Semenyo was due to testify by video link on Wednesday afternoon, but proceedings were interrupted after Mogan suffered a seizure during the lunch break and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
District Judge Mary Dowrick rejected a prosecution application to continue in his absence and adjourned the trial. No verdict was reached, and proceedings are expected to resume at a later date.
Source: Omanghana
