The noise never really stops in football. The cheers, the pressure, the expectations, the emotions, everything is always loud. But sometimes, there is another kind of noise that is much darker, much more painful, and much harder to ignore. That is the kind of noise that Antoine Semenyo is now dealing with again.
It was supposed to be a normal day. Another match week, another moment in a long and demanding season. But then something happened that reminded everyone that football is not just about what happens on the pitch. Sometimes, the real battle happens off it.
On Monday, Semenyo took to Instagram. It was not to celebrate a goal. It was not to share a happy moment. It was not to connect with fans in a positive way. Instead, it was to show the world something ugly.
“It’s started again.”
Those words were simple, but they carried so much pain. Alongside that message, he posted a screenshot of comments sent to him. Comments filled with hate. Comments that no human being should ever have to read. Comments that remind you that, despite all the progress in football, racism is still very real.
This is not the first time Semenyo has faced something like this. And that is what makes the situation even more heartbreaking.
Earlier this season, when he was still playing for AFC Bournemouth, he had already experienced racial abuse in a match against Liverpool FC. It was the opening Premier League game of the season. A big match. A moment where players are excited to start fresh.
In that game, Bournemouth lost 4-2. But even in defeat, Semenyo stood out. He scored twice. He gave everything on the pitch. He showed his quality. He showed his determination.
But instead of being praised for his performance, he became a target.
A spectator directed racist abuse at him during that match. Imagine that for a moment. You go out there, you give your best, you score goals, and instead of respect, you receive hate.
It did not go unnoticed. The incident was reported. Authorities got involved. A man named Mark Mogan, aged 47, was arrested and charged by police for a racially aggravated offence.
The case went to court. The accused denied the offence. And now, the trial is set to take place later this month.
But even as that case moves through the legal system, the problem has not stopped.
Now, months later, Semenyo is once again facing abuse. This time online. Different platform, same hate.
It shows how deep the issue is.
Football has been fighting racism for years. Campaigns, messages, punishments, education — so many efforts have been made. Players take the knee. Clubs speak out. Organizations promise action.
But still, moments like this keep happening.
And every time they do, it hurts the game.
At Manchester City, where Semenyo now plays, the club is said to be fully behind him. They understand the seriousness of the situation. They know how damaging this can be, not just to a player’s performance, but to his mental health.
Support is being provided. Care is being offered. The club is standing with him.
But even with support, the damage is real.
Because racism is not just about words. It is about how those words make someone feel. It is about the weight those messages carry. It is about the emotional impact that can stay with a person long after the message is gone.
For Semenyo, this season has been a mix of highs and lows.
On the pitch, he has been impressive. He has scored 15 Premier League goals across his time with Bournemouth and Manchester City. That is not a small achievement. That shows consistency. That shows growth. That shows quality.
But off the pitch, he is fighting a different kind of battle.
And he is not alone.
This season, several players in the Premier League have been targeted by racist abuse. It is becoming a worrying pattern. In fact, there was a weekend in February where four different players were targeted.
Names like Lutsharel Geertruida, Hannibal Mejbri, Wesley Fofana, and Tolu Arokodare were all involved in cases being investigated.
Think about that. Four players. One weekend.
That is not normal. That is not acceptable.
Authorities like the UK Football Policing Unit are investigating these cases. They are trying to identify those responsible. They are trying to send a message that this behavior will not be tolerated.
But the question remains: why does it keep happening?
Social media has made it easier for people to hide behind screens. To say things they would never say in real life. To attack players without facing immediate consequences.
And footballers, despite their fame and success, are still human beings.
They see these messages.
They read these comments.
They feel the impact.
Earlier on the same day Semenyo spoke out, another incident happened involving Brian Brobbey, who was also racially abused online after a match. His club publicly condemned the abuse.
That shows how widespread the problem is.
Different players. Different clubs. Same issue.
The football world is now once again being forced to confront a difficult reality.
It is not enough to just talk about racism. Action must follow.
Stronger punishments. Better monitoring. More accountability. These are the things people are demanding.
Because players like Semenyo should not have to deal with this.
They should be able to focus on their game. On their performance. On their passion.
Not on defending themselves from hate.
For Semenyo, speaking out is not easy. But it is important.
By sharing those messages, by saying “it’s started again,” he is doing more than just expressing his pain. He is raising awareness. He is showing the reality that many players face.
And maybe, just maybe, it will push the conversation forward.
Fans also have a role to play.
Football is built on passion. On loyalty. On emotion. But that passion should never turn into hate. Supporting your team does not mean attacking someone else.
Respect must always come first.
As the season continues, Semenyo will try to focus on his football. He will try to keep performing. He will try to keep scoring goals.
But moments like this stay with you.
They remind you that, even at the highest level of the game, there are still battles to fight.
And for the football world, this is a test.
A test of how serious it really is about fighting racism.
Because every time a player speaks out, the world is watching.
And every time nothing changes, the message becomes weaker.
For now, Semenyo continues his journey. Strong. Resilient. Focused.
But the question remains — how many more times will players have to say “it’s started again” before it finally stops?
