Antoine Semenyo 'Froze' After Alleged Racist Abuse by Liverpool Fan, Court Hears

A court in Liverpool has heard that footballer Antoine Semenyo "froze" after a Liverpool fan allegedly shouted a racist insult at him during a Premier League game at Anfield.

Mark Mogan, 47, of Dovecot, Liverpool, is accused of shouting the abuse at the winger on 15 August 2025, the opening weekend of the season. Semenyo was playing for Bournemouth at the time and has since moved to Manchester City. Mogan denies racially aggravated behaviour.

Liverpool Magistrates' Court was told the alleged incident happened about 30 minutes into the match, as Semenyo got ready to take a throw-in. Mogan, who uses a wheelchair, is said to have shouted an offensive slur at him from the stands.

Prosecutor Simon Jones said: "Mr Semenyo briefly froze as he couldn't believe what the male had said." He told the court Semenyo was "clearly hurt and upset" and told referee Anthony Taylor about it the next time the ball went out of play.

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

Two short video clips were played in court. Jones described Mogan as being in an "agitated and angry state". He also said witnesses saw Mogan throw chewing gum at Semenyo, which hit the right side of his shorts.

A statement from Neil Sherratt, a Liverpool fan who sits next to Mogan at games, was read out. He said he saw Mogan go towards 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 look. He believed the player replied: "you what".

Another fan, Nicholas Collins, said Mogan became "very cocky and brazen" after the incident and threatened to assault police officers if they came near him.

Mogan, who had an intermediary with him in court, gave a different account in a police interview the following day. He said he had only shouted at Semenyo to hurry up. He claimed the player had called him "a cripple", which upset him, and said he threw the chewing gum on the floor, not at the player.

Jones told the court the prosecution's case is that Mogan lied in that interview.

Semenyo, who was born in London to Ghanaian parents and has played for Ghana at the World Cup, is expected to give evidence by videolink. The trial continues.