Semenyo 'froze' after alleged racist abuse, court told

Key points

• Antoine Semenyo allegedly froze after a racist slur from a Liverpool fan at Anfield on 15 August 2025.
• Mark Mogan, 47, denies racially aggravated behaviour at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.
• Prosecutors say Mogan threw chewing gum at Semenyo and later lied to police.

Footballer Antoine Semenyo "froze" after he was allegedly racially abused by a Liverpool fan during a Premier League match at Anfield, a court has heard. The Manchester City winger, then playing for Bournemouth, was preparing to take a throw-in when Mark Mogan, 47, allegedly shouted a racist insult at him on 15 August 2025.

Prosecutors said Semenyo was "clearly hurt and upset" and reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor when the ball next went out of play. Mogan, of Dovecot, Liverpool, denies racially aggravated behaviour.

What happened at Anfield

Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard Mogan, who uses a wheelchair, shouted an offensive slur about 30 minutes into the opening match of the Premier League season. Prosecutor Simon Jones said: "Mr Semenyo briefly froze as he couldn't believe what the male had said."

The court heard Mogan then shouted further abuse at Semenyo, who did not respond and went on to take the throw-in. Mogan was removed from the stadium at half-time, the court was told.

Mr Semenyo briefly froze as he couldn't believe what the male had said.

— Prosecutor Simon Jones

Witness accounts and defence

Two short video clips were shown to the court, with Jones describing Mogan as being in an "agitated and angry state". He said witnesses saw Mogan throw chewing gum at Semenyo, hitting the right side of his shorts.

Liverpool supporter Neil Sherratt, who sits next to Mogan at matches, said he saw him approach the pitch from the disabled section of the Main Stand. Sherratt said he heard Mogan shout something like "hurry up" and saw Semenyo turn towards him with a shocked expression, believing he replied: "you what".

Another Liverpool fan, Nicholas Collins, said Mogan became "very cocky and brazen" after the incident and threatened to assault police if they approached him. Mogan told police the following day that he had shouted at Semenyo to hurry up, claimed the footballer called him "a cripple", and said he threw chewing gum on to the floor rather than at Semenyo. Jones told the court the prosecution's case was that Mogan had lied during his police interview. Semenyo is expected to give evidence over a videolink.