Manchester City have issued a firm condemnation following incidents of racist abuse directed at Antoine Semenyo after their dramatic Premier League encounter with Everton.
The pulsating 3-3 draw at Goodison Park should have been remembered for its intensity and goals, but instead it has been overshadowed by disturbing reports of discrimination during and after the match.
Semenyo was allegedly targeted from the stands, while teammate Marc Guehi later became the subject of racist abuse on social media platforms.
Semenyo targeted again: fresh racism incident sparks renewed outrage in football
City moved quickly to denounce the incidents, making clear their outrage and reinforcing their uncompromising stance against all forms of discrimination within the sport. The club also acknowledged the response from Everton and law enforcement in addressing the matter.
“Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse directed towards Antoine Semenyo at yesterday’s match. We welcome the swift action taken by Everton and the police to identify the individual responsible,” the club said.
“We are also incredibly disappointed to hear that Marc Guehi was subject to a series of vile racist social media posts last night. We will continue to offer our full support to both Antoine and Marc and never accept discrimination of any kind in our game,” the statement added.
Beyond the immediate condemnation, the episode has once again highlighted the persistent challenge football faces in combating racism, both inside stadiums and across digital spaces. It has intensified calls for tougher penalties, faster identification of offenders, and greater accountability from social media companies.
Pep Guardiola applauds Antoine Semenyo’s rapid rise after electric start at Man City
Despite the controversy, Semenyo’s performances this season remain a major talking point for positive reasons. The 26-year-old Ghana international has been in outstanding form, registering 15 goals and four assists across 33 appearances split between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City, firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s most impactful forwards.
