Footballer 'Froze' After Alleged Racial Abuse, Court Hears

Footballer Antoine Semenyo "froze" after he was allegedly subjected to racial abuse by a Liverpool fan who then threw chewing gum at him, a court has heard.

Semenyo, who was playing for Bournemouth at the time, was reportedly abused by Mark Mogan, 47, as he prepared to take a throw-in approximately 30 minutes into a Premier League match at Anfield on August 15 last year.

Prosecutor Simon Jones told Liverpool Magistrates' Court that Semenyo saw Mogan, a wheelchair user, to his right and heard him shout, "Hurry up and take the throw-in, you black b******."

Jones stated that the racial abuse was directed at Semenyo, who was standing close to the defendant. The court heard that Semenyo "briefly froze as he couldn't believe what the male had said."

Mogan then allegedly shouted, "I'm talking to you, you c***," directly at Semenyo, who did not respond but was visibly hurt and upset by the incident, according to the prosecution.

Semenyo reported the abuse to the match referee, Anthony Taylor, when the ball next went out of play. Mogan was removed from the stadium at halftime.

Two short video clips presented in court showed Mogan in what the prosecution described as an "agitated and angry state." Witnesses reported seeing Mogan take chewing gum from his mouth and throw it at Semenyo, striking his shorts.

Neil Sherratt, a fellow Liverpool fan seated near Mogan, testified that he saw Mogan leave his area in the disabled section of the Main Stand and approach the pitch as Semenyo went to take the throw-in. Sherratt stated he heard Mogan shout "hurry up" and saw Semenyo turn towards him with a "shocked look on his face."

Another fan, Nicholas Collins, said that after the incident, Mogan appeared "very cocky and brazen," stating, "If the bizzies (police) come I'm going to deck them. I'm not going anywhere."

Police interviewed Mogan the following day. He claimed he had shouted at Semenyo to "hurry up" and that Semenyo had called him a "cripple." Mogan also stated he threw chewing gum onto the floor, not at Semenyo. The prosecution contends that Mogan lied in his police interview.

Following the incident, Semenyo expressed gratitude for the "overwhelming messages of support" he received on social media. He thanked his teammates, Liverpool players and fans, and Premier League officials for their support, highlighting how the "entire football family stood together."

Semenyo, who now plays for Manchester City, was scheduled to give evidence via videolink, but Mogan suffered a seizure during the lunch break and was taken to hospital by ambulance. District Judge Mary Dowrick refused an application to proceed with the trial in Mogan's absence, and the trial is expected to continue at a later date.

Mogan denies racially aggravated behaviour.