Antoine Semenyo was at the center of controversy after Bournemouth’s 4–4 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025.
With the game delicately poised at 1–1 and just two minutes remaining before half‑time, Semenyo and Diogo Dalot contested an aerial ball near the halfway line.
As both players leapt, Dalot made contact without appearing to play the ball, shoving Semenyo mid‑air. The Bournemouth forward was sent flying and landed awkwardly, a fall that could easily have resulted in a serious injury.
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This led to a confrontation in which the Ghana international appeared to place his hands around Dalot’s neck in a moment of frustration, prompting players from both sides to rush in and defuse the situation.
Reacting to the incident, Manchester United fans criticised the referee for failing to send off Semenyo for his aggressive actions.
However, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg defended the decision, arguing that Semenyo’s touch was brief and did not amount to holding Dalot’s throat as claimed.
“Antoine Semenyo was issued a yellow card for raising his hand to Diogo Dalot after a foul had been awarded. The yellow card was the correct decision as it was a brief touch and not a grasp to the throat, which could have had an element of malice,” he said.
He explained that the intent and force behind the winger’s action played a key role in the referee’s decision; otherwise, it could have resulted in a red card.
“If that had been the case, it could have upgraded the yellow card to a red card,” he added.
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