Trial halted after man accused of racially abusing Semenyo suffers seizure in court

Mark Mogan’s trial for allegedly racially abusing footballer Antoine Semenyo was suspended on Wednesday after the 47-year-old defendant suffered a seizure during a break in proceedings at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court and was taken to hospital by ambulance. District Judge Mary Dowrick rejected an application to continue the case in his absence, and the trial is expected to resume at a later date.

Mogan, who the court heard has cerebral palsy and relies on a wheelchair, denies a charge of racially aggravated behaviour. He is accused of directing a racial slur at Semenyo — then playing for Bournemouth, now at Manchester City — as the winger prepared to take a throw-in approximately 30 minutes into the opening Premier League fixture of last season against Liverpool on 15 August.

Prosecuting barrister Simon Jones told the court that Mogan shouted: “Hurry up and take the throw-in, you black b**”, before adding “I’m talking to you, you c*”. Jones said Semenyo “briefly froze as he couldn’t believe what the male had said” before proceeding with the throw-in, visibly hurt and upset.

Semenyo had been due to give evidence via video link on Wednesday afternoon, having been unable to appear in the morning due to a prior work commitment. The seizure prevented the case from reaching that stage.

Two brief video clips of the incident were played to the court, in which Jones said Mogan could be seen in an “agitated and angry state”. The court also heard that witnesses observed Mogan remove chewing gum from his mouth and throw it at Semenyo, striking him on the right side of his shorts. Jones described the act as “plainly an unsavoury action from an angry man”.

In a witness statement read to the court, fellow Liverpool supporter Neil Sherratt said he saw Mogan leave his bay in the disabled section of the Main Stand and move towards the pitch as Semenyo approached. Sherratt said Semenyo turned to face Mogan with a shocked expression after hearing the shout.

Semenyo reported the incident to match referee Anthony Taylor when the ball next went out of play. Mogan was subsequently removed from the stadium at half-time.