The match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield Stadium was temporarily halted following the incident
15:52, 22 Dec 2025Updated 16:42, 22 Dec 2025
Mark Mogan outside Liverpool Magistrates’ Court(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A man has denied racially abusing footballer Antoine Semenyo during a match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield Stadium. The Premier League fixture in August was temporarily halted following the incident, which occurred when the winger was preparing to take a throw-in near to the Main Stand.
Mark Mogan, of Templehill Close in Dovecot, has since been charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence in connection with the altercation. The 47-year-old appeared before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, Monday, in order to face this single count.
Wearing glasses and a black coat over a shirt and tie, the wheelchair user was allowed to remain in the body of the court rather than entering the dock during a brief hearing.
He spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth before pleading not guilty, he will now face a trial back before the same court on April 22. Mogan was released on conditional bail until this date.
Adjourning the case, District Judge James Clarke said: “Mr Mogan, you have pleaded not guilty, so there will be a trial. That will take place back at this building on the 22nd of April. I will release you on bail until that date.
“There are some conditions on your bail. You must not contact Mr Semenyo by any means. You must not attend any regulated football match and you must not enter within one mile of any football ground two hours before or one hour after kick off. Other than that, you are free to go.”
Mark Mogan outside Liverpool Magistrates’ Court(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Semenyo scored both of Bournemouth’s two goals during a 4-2 defeat during the 2025/26 season’s opening game on August 15 this year. In a statement issued in the aftermath, an LFC spokesman said: “Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against Bournemouth.
“We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms. It has no place in society, or football. The club is unable to comment further as tonight’s alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully.”
Mark Mogan outside Liverpool Magistrates’ Court(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Posting on social media, Semenyo added: “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 together. 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 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. The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together.”