Antoine Semenyo says that “football has shown its best side” in response to racist abuses

“To my Bournemouth teammates who supported me at that time, to the players and fans of Liverpool who showed their real character, to the leaders of the Premier League who manipulated him professionally – thank you. Football has shown its best side when it was most important.

“Mark these two goals seemed to say the only language that really counts on the field. This is why I play – for moments like these, for my teammates, for all those who believe in that this beautiful game can be.

“The overwhelming messages of support from the world of football remind me of why I like this sport. We continue to move forward, together.”

Liverpool captain, Virgil Van Dijk, described the “shame” incident, and said anti-racism campaigns must do more to eradicate it from the game.

“The only thing we can do is to face it by dealing personally with him and try to educate the next generation,” he said. “This is the only way to try to throw it, in my opinion.

“I cannot believe it. These things should not happen but unfortunately it is and it is an absolute shame in my eyes.”

The director general of the Premier League, Richard Masters, said that anyone guilty of racist abuse will be prohibited from stadiums and could face prosecution.

“No Premier League footballer should never have, in their workplace or online, this kind of abuse. It is important that we continue to say this,” Masters at BBC Sport told.

“This is a problem for society. He discloses in football, and that should not happen in a football stadium. This should not happen online.

“That makes people like me and other footballers in charge of the game think twice what we can do else to make sure that these things do not happen in the future.

“If you use discriminatory language in a football field, you will be ejected, secondly you will be banned, and thirdly you could face criminal charges.”

The Premier League says that she is investigating the incident and offered her support for Semenyo and two clubs.

Instagram owner Meta said he was investigating and would take measures against comments and incriminated accounts.