Football Apr 30, 2026

Antoine Semenyo: Trial over alleged racial abuse from a supporter adjourned as defendant assessed over fitness to stand trial

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Antoine Semenyo: Trial over alleged racial abuse from a supporter adjourned as defendant assessed over fitness to stand trial

The case of a Liverpool supporter accused of racially abusing footballer Antoine Semenyo has been adjourned to determine whether he is fit to stand trial.

Mark Mogan, 47, was due to stand trial at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday accused of racially aggravated behaviour during a match at Anfield last August.

Olivia Belle, defending, said Mogan, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, had been assessed by a psychiatric expert who found he was unfit to plead or stand trial.

She said he had a "highly complex presentation" and a history of language and communication difficulties.

Semenyo had been due to give evidence in the one-day trial, but the court heard witnesses had been told not to attend when it became clear the case would not go ahead.

District Judge James Hatton adjourned the case to September to allow the prosecution to obtain their own psychiatric report.

Mogan, of Templehill Close, Dovecot, was given bail with conditions including that he must not contact Semenyo, attend any regulated football matches, or go within one mile of Premier and Football League grounds around the time of games.

The defendant, who attended court with his father, is accused of directing abuse at the 26-year-old player at the Premier League Liverpool vs Bournemouth fixture on August 15.

Match referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the 29th minute after Semenyo, then a Bournemouth player, reported the abuse and a man was ejected from the stadium.

The footballer, who has since signed for Manchester City, went on to score twice in the second half to help bring Bournemouth back from two goals down at Anfield before Liverpool went on to eventually win 4-2.

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