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Antoine Semenyo Froze After Alleged Racist Abuse at Anfield, Court Hears
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- Antoine Semenyo Froze After Alleged Racist Abuse at Anfield, Court Hears
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Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard on Wednesday that Antoine Semenyo "briefly froze" after alleged racist abuse from a supporter at Anfield on the opening day of the 2025 Premier League season.
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Mark Mogan, 47, denies racially aggravated behaviour and told police he shouted "hurry up" at Semenyo, who was playing for Bournemouth at the time.
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Semenyo, now at Manchester City, was expected to give evidence by videolink on Wednesday afternoon. The trial continues and none of the allegations has been proven.
A Throw-In, a Shout From the Stand and a Disputed Piece of Chewing Gum
Antoine Semenyo was taking a throw-in at Anfield when, the prosecution says, a supporter shouted racist abuse at him. Prosecutor Simon Jones told Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday that the Manchester City forward "briefly froze" in disbelief.
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The alleged abuse came about 30 minutes into the Premier League season opener on 15 August 2025. Semenyo was playing for Bournemouth then. The man accused of shouting it is Mark Mogan, 47, who uses a wheelchair and denies racially aggravated behaviour.
The hearing took place on Wednesday 14 October 2026. The trial is still going, and none of the allegations has been proven.
What the prosecution told the court
Jones said Mogan looked directly at Semenyo as he shouted. Semenyo did not respond verbally, but he was "clearly hurt and upset", the prosecutor said. Mogan then allegedly shouted "I'm talking to you."
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Witnesses said Mogan threw chewing gum at Semenyo and that it hit his shorts. Jones called it "an unsavoury action from an angry man."
The court watched two short video clips of the incident. Jones said they showed Mogan in an "agitated and angry state." The prosecutor also told the court that Mogan lied in his police interview.
Mogan's account to police
In that interview, Mogan said he had shouted "hurry up" at Semenyo. He said Semenyo had called him a "cripple", and that it upset him. He told officers he threw the gum onto the floor, not at the player.
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Those are Mogan's words from his police interview, which the prosecution says contained lies. Mogan denies the charge.
What other supporters said
Neil Sherratt, a fellow Liverpool fan who sits next to Mogan, said in a statement that he heard Mogan shout "hurry up". He also saw Semenyo turn toward Mogan, looking shocked.
Another fan, Nicholas Collins, said Mogan became "very cocky and brazen" after the incident.
What Semenyo did at the time
Semenyo reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor when the ball next went out of play. Mogan was removed from the stadium at half-time.
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Semenyo now plays for Manchester City. He was expected to give evidence by videolink on Wednesday afternoon.
No verdict has been reported. The prosecution says Mogan shouted racist abuse and lied to police, and Mogan says he shouted "hurry up". The trial continues.
