British police arrest disabled man for alleged ‘racist’ remark

British police have arrested a disabled man for insulting a Black athlete during a soccer match with an allegedly “racist” remark, the Daily Mail reported.

The incident occurred last weekend during a Premier League game between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth. Footage shows 47-year-old Mark Morgan, a soccer fan who has been confined to a wheelchair since birth, approaching Bournemouth player Antoine Semenyo. The two appeared to have a brief exchange before Morgan wheeled away.

Semenyo spoke to the referee, after which the game was paused while an urgent meeting was convened between the managers and captains. During half time, Merryside Police arrived and arrested Morgan on charges of “racially aggravated assault” while an announcement was made warning spectators against “racist abuse.”

What did he say?

Merryside Police later confirmed in a statement that Morgan had been arrested for racism and was out on bail for three months, but they did not disclose the content of the remark. Morgan’s comment has also not been revealed in any media reports, and even those sitting near the disabled fan appear unaware of what he said.

“For reasons I'll never know, the fella near me in Bay 7 (I'm Bay 9) decides to go over to [Semenyo] in his wheelchair and shouts something at Semenyo,” an attendee identified as Nick Collins later posted on social media. “Semenyo then asks him to repeat it and he repeated it and threw his chewing gum at him.

“Then two mins later the play is stopped. The fella next to me says he hopes Mark hasn't said anything racist to Semenyo but then I'm getting texts from people saying it's about the fan in the wheelchair allegedly abusing Semenyo. We missed the first goal because all of us were uncomfortable being around this guy, who's now sat in silence.”

Collins said Morgan had a “no room for racism” badge on his shirt.

Until his trial, Morgan is prohibited from attending soccer games anywhere in the country and is forbidden to go within one mile of a soccer stadium. If convicted of racism, Morgan will be banned from Liverpool games for life.

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