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This video can not be played A player who was racially abused was crying on my chest - Wayne Rooney Wayne Rooney revealed a player "cried on his chest" after being racially abused during his time in charge of Major League Soccer club DC United, and has called for greater anti-racism education campaigns. The former England and Manchester United great also wants to see clubs punished more severely for racism from fans. Rooney, speaking on his new BBC podcast, discussed what can be done to eradicate racism in the Premier League. It comes after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported he was racially abused by someone in the crowd during the Cherries' 4-2 defeat by Liverpool on Friday. "I had it in DC with one of my players who got racially abused and he was crying on my chest. I was holding him as he was crying on my chest, " he said on the Wayne Rooney Show. "I don't think people realise - they say it as a throwaway line that they think has no meaning behind it, but it hurts people. For people to see that and understand, there has to be more done to stop it. " Friday's Premier League opener at Anfield was temporarily halted in the 29th minute after Semenyo reported the abuse to the referee. A 47-year-old man from Liverpool, who was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offence, has been banned from every football stadium in the UK and conditionally bailed. Rooney added that anti-discrimination education for all ages is essential but also wants to see stronger sanctions for clubs. "There needs to be a strong campaign for society - for children, parents and grandparents - to be educated, " Rooney added. "You have to hit the clubs because that's the only way it will stop. If there is ignorance, the fans will still do it. "You have to hit the clubs by taking off points or hit them in the pocket and take money away from them. Otherwise, it will keep on going. "Hopefully the right people sit down with the right organisations to try and get something serious in place. " The Football Association (FA), according to rule E20. 1, has the power to impose financial penalties or a stadium closure (whether partial or full) on clubs deemed to have not acted upon reports of racist abuse. In 2023, League Two club Gillingham were fined £12, 500 by the FA for three counts of misconduct following racist and sexist abuse by their supporters. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Follow your club with BBC Sport Premier League: Leeds pushing for opener against Everton at raucous Elland Road Transfer window set to break all records 'Sad to see' - Newcastle and Villa fans unite against PSR Why are so many people taking ketamine? Why was this French film so controversial? Military drama starring Lacey Turner and Michelle Keegan A battle between two activists and a fast food giant The rule that disallowed Eze's free-kick - analysis. Video The rule that disallowed Eze's free-kick - analysis Perseverance through resistance - the history of the Women's Rugby World Cup Arsenal profit from Bayindir error to beat Man Utd. Video Arsenal profit from Bayindir error to beat Man Utd 'Back with a bang! ' - Hodgkinson wins 800m in world lead time. Video'Back with a bang! ' - Hodgkinson wins 800m in world lead time 'People think I'm uneducated' - getting to know Wayne Rooney Red Roses partner with Barbie before World Cup Watch: Mic'd up Livingstone captains team in real time. Video Watch: Mic'd up Livingstone captains team in real time 'He has made young players dream' - the making of Liverpool icon Salah Lewandowski, Man Utd and the transfer that got away. Video Lewandowski, Man Utd and the transfer that got away When England won by two runs - the greatest ever Test match? Video When England won by two runs - the greatest ever Test match? Becky Zerlentes - the first female boxer to die in fight in US Hansie Cronje, match-fixing and plane crash that left a complex legacy Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.