FIFA President Infantino condemns racist abuse towards Antoine Semenyo

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly condemned the racist abuse directed at AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during their Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield, a situation that forced a temporary stoppage of the match.

Taking to Instagram, Infantino described the incident as “absolutely unacceptable,” reaffirming FIFA’s zero-tolerance stance on racism and discrimination in football.

“Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination, Antoine’s courage and performance on the pitch, despite such adversity, is a powerful example of strength and dignity for players worldwide,” FIFA president Infantino wrote.

Infantino also highlighted FIFA’s proactive measures, pointing to The Players’ Voice Panel, established in 2024 as part of FIFA’s five-pillar framework against racism.

According to FIFA president, the panel will directly reach out to Semenyo and continue to closely monitor such cases, ensuring that players are protected and respected.

“Everyone at FIFA, The Players’ Voice Panel and the whole football community stands firmly with Antoine,” Infantino emphasized. “We will continue to offer our unequivocal support to him, Bournemouth, the Premier League, and The FA to ensure strong deterrents are in place and actions taken to eradicate racism and discrimination from our game.”

The statement underlines FIFA’s ongoing commitment to combating racism while standing in solidarity with players who continue to face abuse on and off the pitch.