The Premier League weekend concluded with a sobering reminder of the persistent issue of racism within the sport, as both Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri were subjected to online abuse following their teams’ 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on . The incidents come just days after similar allegations involving Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., highlighting a troubling pattern that continues to plague football.
The match itself saw Chelsea defender Fofana sent off after receiving two yellow cards, the first stemming from a challenge on Mejbri. Following the game, both players took to social media to address the abuse they received. Fofana shared screenshots of the offensive messages, expressing his frustration with the lack of tangible consequences for perpetrators. “2026, it’s still the same thing, nothing changes. These people are never punished,” he wrote. “You create big campaigns against racism, but nobody actually does anything.”
Mejbri echoed this sentiment, posting, “It’s 2026 and there are still people like that… Educate yourself and your kids, please.” His message underscored the need for broader societal change and a proactive approach to combating prejudice.
Both Chelsea and Burnley swiftly condemned the abuse directed at their players. Chelsea released a statement calling the racist attacks “appalling and disgusted” and “abhorrent and will not be tolerated.” The club affirmed its unwavering support for Fofana and all its players who face such hatred, pledging to work with authorities and social media platforms to identify and punish those responsible. Burnley mirrored this stance, stating they were “disgusted” by the abuse and had reported the incident to Meta, Instagram’s parent company, as well as the Premier League and police.
The Premier League itself issued a statement condemning the abuse and vowed to pursue the strongest possible consequences for anyone found guilty of discrimination, including club bans and legal prosecution. This commitment, however, appears to ring hollow for some, as evidenced by Fofana’s pointed criticism of the effectiveness of existing anti-racism campaigns.
The incidents have reignited the debate surrounding the responsibility of social media companies in addressing online abuse. Meta, responding to the situation, stated that they remove racist content when it is identified and continue to work towards protecting their community, acknowledging that a single solution is unlikely. However, critics argue that more proactive measures are needed to prevent the spread of hateful content and hold perpetrators accountable.
This latest episode is not an isolated one. A BBC investigation revealed that over 2,000 extremely abusive social media posts, including death and rape threats, were directed at managers and players in the Premier League and Women’s Super League in a single weekend. Further incidents have continued to surface, including racial abuse directed at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo during a match against Liverpool in , which is currently subject to a police investigation and trial scheduled for . Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock was also targeted with “disgusting” racial abuse and “deeply disturbing threats” on social media in , prompting police involvement. Even Tottenham’s Mathys Tel and England defender Jess Carter have been subjected to racist abuse in recent months.
The abuse directed at Rashford, Sancho, and Saka following the Euro 2020 final remains a stark reminder of the deep-seated racism that exists within the game and society at large. These recurring incidents underscore the urgent need for meaningful change, not just in the form of condemnations and campaigns, but in concrete actions that address the root causes of prejudice and hold perpetrators accountable. The frustration expressed by Fofana – that “nothing changes” – reflects a growing sense of disillusionment among players and fans alike, demanding a more effective and sustained response to this ongoing crisis.
Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out has voiced its support for Fofana and Mejbri, but also emphasized the need for greater action. The organization highlighted the collaborative efforts between football authorities, the UK Football Policing Unit, and Ofcom, but stressed that social media companies must take greater responsibility for protecting players and improving accountability when abuse occurs. The question remains whether these calls for action will translate into tangible improvements, or if the cycle of abuse and condemnation will continue to repeat itself.
