Ghana's Semenyo 'froze' after alleged racist abuse, court told

The central allegation is that Mark Mogan shouted a racist insult at Antoine Semenyo during Bournemouth’s match at Liverpool on 15 August 2025. The article does not repeat the exact words. Mogan denies racially aggravated behaviour, so the allegation remains unproven while the trial continues.

The alleged incident happened as Semenyo prepared to take a throw-in. Prosecutor Simon Jones said Semenyo briefly froze because he could not believe what he had heard. The court also heard that Mogan allegedly shouted further abuse and that chewing gum hit the right side of Semenyo’s shorts.

Semenyo did not respond to the alleged abuse. He took the throw-in, then reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor when the ball next went out. Mogan was removed from Anfield at half-time. Semenyo is expected to give evidence by videolink.

The prosecution is presenting several kinds of evidence to build its account of the incident. Two short video clips were shown, and Simon Jones described Mogan as agitated and angry. The court is also hearing statements from people who were near Mogan or observed what happened.

Neil Sherratt said Mogan approached the pitch from the disabled section, shouted something like “hurry up” and caused Semenyo to turn. Nicholas Collins said Mogan became cocky, threatened police and was later removed. Witnesses also allegedly saw chewing gum hit Semenyo’s shorts.

Mogan told police the next day that he had shouted “hurry up”. He claimed Semenyo called him “a cripple” and said he threw the gum on the floor. Prosecutors say that account was untrue. Semenyo is expected to give evidence by videolink, adding an important first-hand account.

“Racially aggravated behaviour” is a legal description for conduct made more serious by racism. Under English law, an offence is generally racially aggravated if the offender demonstrates hostility based on the victim’s membership, or presumed membership, of a racial group. It can also qualify when the offence is motivated wholly or partly by that hostility.

The racial element must be proved alongside the underlying offence. In a public-order case, that could involve threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, depending on the charge. The court would examine what was said or done, the surrounding circumstances and what the defendant intended or realised.

The article does not specify the exact statutory charge or section. Therefore, the precise legal test and possible sentence depend on the charge before the court. Mogan denies racially aggravated behaviour, and the trial has not established that the alleged conduct occurred.

To secure a conviction, prosecutors must prove the elements of the charged offence beyond reasonable doubt. They would need to show that Mogan was the person responsible, that the alleged words or behaviour met the offence’s legal definition and that the racial aggravation requirement was satisfied.

The court may assess the accounts of Semenyo, witnesses, the referee, police and Mogan himself, along with the video clips. It may also consider the alleged chewing-gum incident and the timing of Mogan’s removal. The exact elements depend on the statutory charge, which the article does not identify.

Mogan’s denial matters because it creates a direct dispute about what happened and why. He accepts shouting “hurry up” but denies the prosecution’s account of racist abuse, claiming Semenyo insulted him and that the gum fell to the floor. The prosecution retains the burden of proof throughout.

If Mogan is convicted, the court would sentence him for the specific offence proved and consider the racial aggravation. The outcome would depend on the statutory charge, the seriousness of the conduct, his criminal record and other sentencing factors. The article does not state the charge or any likely penalty.

For a racially aggravated public-order offence, possible consequences can include a fine, a community order or custody. A court may also impose requirements linked to rehabilitation or public protection where the law allows. Sentencing cannot be predicted from the allegation alone.

The case remains at trial, so no punishment has been decided. The court must first determine whether prosecutors have proved the alleged abuse and its racial character beyond reasonable doubt. If Mogan is acquitted, there is no conviction or sentence. If convicted, the judge or magistrates will apply the relevant legal maximum and sentencing guidelines.

The article provides no statistics about the national scale of racist abuse in English football. It focuses on one alleged incident involving Antoine Semenyo and Mark Mogan at Anfield. That single case cannot establish how frequently abuse occurs in professional matches or grassroots games.

A reliable scale would require consistent data from clubs, leagues, police, governing bodies and grassroots organisations. Reports may count different things, including incidents witnessed by officials, complaints made by players or supporters, police referrals and cases reaching court. Those categories are not interchangeable.

The current reality available from this article is therefore limited. It shows that an alleged incident was reported during a Premier League match and is being tested in court. It does not say whether reports are rising or falling, identify a national total or compare professional football with grassroots football. Any broader figure would require an external source.

Football’s response usually involves several stages. Players or officials may report suspected abuse to the referee or club staff. Stewards can observe events, separate people and remove spectators. Clubs may preserve video or pass information to police. Referees can record incidents in match reports, while police investigate possible crimes.

This case shows that process in action. Semenyo reported the alleged abuse to Anthony Taylor after the ball went out. Mogan was removed from the stadium at half-time. The court later heard witness statements, watched two short video clips and considered Mogan’s police interview.

Courts, rather than clubs or referees, decide criminal guilt. Prosecutors must prove the charged offence and any racial aggravation beyond reasonable doubt. If guilt is established, the court can sentence the offender. The article does not describe any club disciplinary process or state whether police took further action beyond interviewing Mogan.