Bournemouth captain Adam Smith has responded to the alleged racist abuse aimed at his team-mate Antoine Semenyo during the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. The game, which was marked by tributes to the late Diogo Jota, had to be stopped by referee Anthony Taylor in the 28th minute after Semenyo reported being abused.
The Italian came off the bench to win the game for the Reds on an emotionally-charged evening at Anfield.
The Premier League is back and so are the controversies as Liverpool had an early handball appeal turned down by Anthony Taylor despite Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi appearing to deliberately palm the ball away from Hugo Ekitike as he looked to break through on goal. Fans are now raging at the incompetence of VAR with claims that the Argentine should have been sent off.
The 2025-26 Premier League season will see major rule changes designed to speed up play and give fans more access than ever before. From an eight-second goalkeeper time limit to cameras entering dressing rooms and stricter referee communication rules, the top flight is clamping down on delays while opening the door to new broadcast experiences.
Arne Slot has defensive issues to fix but should retain their title having spent big on 'the new Kevin De Bruyne', among others
