Police have launched investigations after four professional footballers were subjected to racist abuse on social media over the weekend.
Midfielder Hannibal Mejbri and defender Wesley Fofana received abusive messages on Instagram following Burnley’s 1–1 draw with Chelsea F.C. at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
On Sunday, striker Tolu Arokodare and winger Romaine Mundle were also targeted online.
The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) confirmed it has opened “a number of investigations” after receiving four separate reports.
According to the BBC, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, head of the unit, said: “There is absolutely no place for racial abuse, either online or in person, and anyone who believes they can hide behind their keyboards should think again. The UKFPU condemns this abhorrent behaviour and we will ensure that, through our dedicated team of officers, we do everything possible to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”
Enforcement efforts stepped up
Police stated that the UKFPU, which leads nationally on football-related online abuse, will work closely with clubs and players to identify those responsible.
Recent cases have led to prosecutions and football banning orders, although authorities acknowledged that more work remains to be done.
The unit is also coordinating with Ofcom, English football authorities and social media companies as part of a wider enforcement strategy.
A spokesperson for Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram, said: “No one should be subjected to racist abuse, and we remove this content when we find it… We’ll continue working to protect our community from abuse and co-operate with police investigations.”
A persistent problem in football
Anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out described the incidents as an “appalling weekend,” noting that online abuse remains a persistent issue in the sport.
The latest cases follow a string of high-profile incidents in recent years. England internationals Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were racially abused after the UEFA Euro 2020 Final defeat to Italy.
More recently, Newcastle United F.C. contacted police after midfielder Joe Willock received racist messages and threats online, while Tottenham Hotspur F.C. forward Mathys Tel was also targeted following a penalty shootout defeat in August.
Despite ongoing campaigns and enforcement measures, the incidents highlight the continuing challenge of tackling racism in football, both inside stadiums and across digital platforms.
