Premier League Players Face Disturbing Racist Abuse Post-Match

Published: Monday, February 23, 2026 at 7:17 am

Premier League Players Targeted by Racist Online Abuse

Several Premier League footballers have been subjected to racist online abuse following recent matches, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for stronger action. The incidents, which occurred over the weekend, have brought renewed attention to the ongoing issue of online hate speech targeting athletes.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri were among the first to report receiving racist messages after their teams' draw. Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare also faced abuse following his team's defeat, with the messages appearing to stem from a missed penalty. Sunderland's Romaine Mundle was also targeted after his team's loss.

The Premier League has strongly condemned the abuse, expressing solidarity with the affected players and clubs. The league has pledged to hold those responsible accountable and provide support to the players and clubs involved.

Anti-discrimination group Kick it Out has called for more action from social media platforms to protect players and improve accountability. The group emphasized that while words matter, actions are crucial in tackling this issue. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has stated that it removes racist content when found.

The incidents come amid an ongoing investigation by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) into claims of on-field racial abuse involving Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

Players have expressed their frustration and disappointment, highlighting the persistence of racism in the sport. Chelsea, Burnley, and Wolverhampton Wanderers have all issued statements condemning the abuse and vowing to work with authorities to identify and punish the perpetrators.

BNN's Perspective:

The recent surge in online racist abuse directed at Premier League players is deeply concerning. While the swift condemnation from the league and clubs is welcome, it's clear that more needs to be done. Social media platforms must take greater responsibility for the content shared on their sites and work proactively to prevent and remove hate speech. Stricter penalties for offenders and increased support for players are also essential to combat this unacceptable behavior.

Keywords: Premier League, racism, online abuse, football, players, Wesley Fofana, Hannibal Mejbri, Tolu Arokodare, Romaine Mundle, Chelsea, Burnley, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sunderland, Kick it Out, Meta, Instagram, UEFA, Vinicius Junior, hate speech, discrimination, social media, accountability.

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