Antoine Semenyo "froze" in shock after a Liverpool fan allegedly directed a racist slur at him during a Premier League fixture at Anfield, Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday.

Semenyo, then playing for Bournemouth, was preparing to take a throw-in approximately 30 minutes into the opening match of the Premier League season on 15 August 2025 when the alleged incident took place. Mark Mogan, 47, of Dovecot, Liverpool, denies racially aggravated behaviour.

What the court heard

Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court that Semenyo was "clearly hurt and upset" by the remark. "Mr Semenyo briefly froze as he couldn't believe what the male had said," Jones said. The winger did not respond verbally and went on to take the throw-in before reporting the incident to referee Anthony Taylor when the ball next went out of play.

The court was also told that Mogan, who uses a wheelchair, shouted further abuse at Semenyo following the initial slur and was captured in two short video clips in what Jones described as an "agitated and angry state." Witnesses told the court that Mogan threw chewing gum at Semenyo, striking the right side of his shorts. Mogan was removed from the stadium at half-time.

Witness accounts

Liverpool supporter Neil Sherratt, who sits beside Mogan at matches, said in a written statement that he saw Mogan move toward the pitch from the disabled section of the Main Stand. Sherratt said he heard Mogan shout something along the lines of "hurry up" and observed Semenyo turn to face him with a shocked expression, appearing to reply, "you what."

A second Liverpool fan, Nicholas Collins, told the court that Mogan became "very cocky and brazen" after the incident and threatened to assault police officers if they approached him.

Mogan's account

During a police interview the following day, Mogan — who had an intermediary present with him in court — said he had only shouted at Semenyo to hurry up. He claimed Semenyo had called him "a cripple," which upset him, and insisted he had thrown the chewing gum onto the floor rather than at the player. Jones told the court the prosecution contends that Mogan lied during that interview.

Semenyo, who now plays for Manchester City, is expected to give evidence via videolink. The trial continues.