Four Premier League footballers were subjected to abhorrent racist messages on social media during a single weekend, described as an “appalling” period for online discrimination in English football, reports BritPanorama.
Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare faced significant abuse after failing to convert a penalty in his team’s 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace on Sunday, with numerous accounts targeting him. Additionally, Sunderland’s Romaine Mundle reported similar racism following his late-game appearance in a 3-1 loss to Fulham.
A day prior, Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri encountered the same treatment after their match ended in a 1-1 draw. The incidents have raised alarms about the prevalence of racism in football and the limitations of existing measures to combat such abuse.
In response, anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out condemned these incidents, characterising the weekend as “appalling” for the sport. Their statement expressed solidarity with the affected players and highlighted the distressing reality that such abuse occurs regularly. “Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behaviour, and nor should anyone else,” the organisation stated, calling for stronger action from social media companies to combat online racial abuse.
The Premier League has vowed to assist Wolves and Sunderland in their investigations, affirming a commitment to harsh consequences for offenders. Both clubs have expressed their disgust at the incidents. Wolves declared their unwavering support for Arokodare and pledged to report the abuses to the relevant platforms, intending to work collaboratively with authorities to identify the perpetrators.
Arokodare articulated his disbelief regarding the unfettered freedom that allows individuals to express such racism online. He emphasised the need for collective action to eliminate those who tarnish the sport. Similarly, Sunderland condemned the “abhorrent behaviour” and assured that their club would take all necessary steps against those responsible, affirming that such actions do not represent their values.
As the conversation around online racism intensifies, the ongoing discussions about the role of social media in football will likely continue, highlighting the dissonance between the game’s values and the actions of a disturbing minority. The fight against racism in football seems far from over, illustrating how deeply entrenched these issues remain, and a reminder that for every inspiring moment on the pitch, society grapples with the shadows lurking off it.
