18/08/2025

SPORTS MONDAY | AUG 18, 2025

30

B OURNEMOUTH winger Antoine Semenyo said on Saturday the racist abuse he alleges was directed at him by a Liverpool fan at Anfield “will stay with me forever”. But the Ghanian international added that the incident during the Premier League season opener on Saturday had also shown football’s “best side when it mattered most”. Play was halted after Semenyo reported he was abused by someone in the crowd during the first half of Liverpool’s 4-2 win. Merseyside Police said a 47-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and has been taken into custody. Semenyo, 25, went on to score twice as

Semenyo scarred for life Ghanaian says alleged racist abuse at Liverpool ‘will stay with me forever’

Bournemouth came back from 2-0 down but Liverpool scored two late goals to seal the win. “Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever – not because of one person’s words, but because of how the entire football family stood

who handled it professionally – thank you. Football showed its best side when it mattered most. “Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play – for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.

is obviously a disgrace,” the Dutchman said. “The only thing we can do is deal with it by dealing with him personally and try to educate the next generation. That is the only way to try and kick it out, in my opinion. “I can’t believe it. These things shouldn’t happen but unfortunately it does and it is an absolute disgrace in my eyes. “These things should never happen in the world, not only (never in) football.” Van Dijk also said he was “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”. – AFP

“The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together,” he added. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk described the incident as a “disgrace” and said it showed how much work

together,” Semenyo said on social media. “To my Bournemouth teammates who supported me in that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. – REUTERSPIC

17/08/2025 (SUN)

6009/2025

8896 1600 7599

needed to be done to educate people about racism. “What else can we do? Because this is the very odd one

Draw Date: 17/08/25 (Sun)

Draw No: 5956/25 Venue: WISMA GENTING, KL

1123 9950 3475 2610 3436

4145 9657 7626 5362 8437

2692 4875 5526 6126 1340

9361 7294 4790 6327 1317

5317 3770 1454

(case) that has managed to say something that

3689+ 2485 3655+ 3945 3128+ 7491 7463+ 0635 6500+6001

2863+ 6962 5400+ 3250 1697+ 7342 5111 + 3942 6440+ 3536

9,851,249.00

8896 1600 8896

7599 7599 1600

7599 7599 1600

8896 8896 1600

Ban, possible prosecution for discrimination: Masters

186,749.53

RM8,741,085.40

5317 + 3770 5317 + 1454 3770+ 1454

3770+ 5317 1454+ 5317 1454+ 3770

8896 1600 7599 HORSE

PREMIER LEAGUE chief executive Richard Masters issued a warning on Saturday that anyone guilty of racist abuse would be banned from stadiums and could face prosecution. His comments came a day after Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo was the target of racist abuse during his side’s 4-2 loss to Liverpool at Anfield. “No Premier League footballer should ever have to, in their workplace or online, suffer that sort of abuse. It is important that we keep saying that,” Masters told BBC Sport . “It is a problem for society. It leaks into football and it shouldn’t happen in a football stadium. It shouldn’t happen online. NOTTINGHAM FOREST signed Ipswich forward Omari Hutchinson in a deal worth a reported £37.5 million (RM214m) yesterday. Hutchinson agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club. The 21-year-old played 32 times for Ipswich as they were relegated from the Premier League last season, scoring three goals and providing two assists. “I’m really excited to be here and can’t wait to get started. I’ve played at the City Ground a few times and it’s always felt like a hostile atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to playing here with the fans behind us,” Hutchinson said. “I’m going to give it my all and I’m looking forward to the challenge as it’s a new chapter for me, but I feel ready.” Since the end of last season, Forest have signed Switzerland international Dan Ndoye and Botafoga duo Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha. They also convinced captain Morgan Gibbs White to sign a long-term contract amid reported interest from Tottenham. SIDENETTING Forest seal swoop for Ipswich’s Hutchinson

“It makes people like me and other football people in charge of the game think twice about what else we can do to ensure that these things don’t happen in the future. “If you are found to be using discriminatory language inside a football ground you will be ejected, second you will be banned and third you may face criminal charges.” Merseyside Police confirmed that the culprit is now in custody to be interviewed. The incident at Anfield followed reports of Tottenham Hotspur’s French forward Mathys Tel being subjected to racist abuse on social media after missing a penalty in his side’s Uefa Super Cup defeat by Paris St Germain on Wednesday. – Reuters Brentford splash club-record fee on Ouattara BRENTFORD signed Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth for a reported £42 million (RM240m) yesterday in a deal that could free up Yoane Wissa to leave the Bees. Ouattara, 23, scored 11 goals in 88 appearances for the Cherries, since joining from Lorient in 2023. Brentford confirmed the transfer is a club-record fee, surpassing the £30 million they spent on Igor Thiago last year. “We’re really happy to get Dango in. He’s someone that we were aware and surprised could be available and, once we knew that signing him might be a possibility, we really focused on trying to get him in,” said Brentford boss Keith Andrews. “We liked his Premier League experience, even at his young age, and he just hasn’t found the rhythm yet because of a lack of consistent game time.” Brentford have lost of all of their manager Thomas Frank, top scorer Bryan Mbeumo and captain Christian Norgaard from last season after finishing 10th in the Premier League.

RM119,918.60

RM500,289.20

OX

585 317 +

8 5 8 9 4 5 8 9 4 8 9 4 9 4

RM170,000.00

213 770 + TIGER

3 1 3 1 5 8 8 6 2 0

RM380,833.30

191 454 + HORSE

173 689 672 485 822 863 506 962 143 655 783 945 535 400 683 250 593 128 177 491 981 697 567 342 047 463 260 635 545 111 503 942 556 500 716 001 476 440 873 536

2 5 9 2 4 9 5 9 2 4 9 9 2 4 9 2 4 9

2 5 9 2 4 2 5 9 2 2 5 9 2 5

4 9

4 11 36 44 47 50

317 770 454

76,979,366.07

2 5 11 14 25 32

RM1,024,964.40 317 + 770 + 454 770 + 454 + 317 317 + 454 + 770 454 + 317 + 770 770 + 317 + 454 454 + 770 + 317

4,457,569.35

9 14 16 17 19 30 10

8,387,016.30 287,546.95

1+3D Jackpot 2 RM189,400.90 won on 16/8/25!

Toto 4D Jackpot 2

RM136,442

RM30,013 won on 16/08/2025 ! Toto 4D Jackpot 2 (i-System)