Virgil van Dijk has condemned the racial abuse aimed at Antoine Semenyo
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has condemned the racial abuse aimed at Antoine Semenyo and has offered support to the striker.
The Ghana international was subjected to racial abuse during the Premier League opener at Anfield on Friday night.
The game came to a brief halt in the 29th minute after the AFC Bournemouth striker reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor.
However, play resumed with Liverpool winning the game 4-2 and despite the incident, Semenyo scored a brace.
Speaking after the game, Van Dijk condemned the act and assured the 25-year-old of his support.
“I am here for Antoine, whenever he needs it, and we are here as a club to deal with it in the best way possible because it shouldn’t happen,” the Dutch defender told Sky Sports.
“But we stand with him completely,” he added.
Meanwhile, Merseyside Police arrested a 47-year-old man on Saturday as a suspect for racially abusing the former Bristol City striker.
Both clubs and the Premier League have strongly condemned the abuse, with the league confirming it has launched a full investigation into the incident.
