Premier League Players Face Racist Abuse Online After Games

Chelsea, Burnley, and Wolverhampton players targeted with hateful messages on social media

Feb. 22, 2026 at 10:30pm

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Three Premier League players, including Chelsea's Wesley Fofana, Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri, and Wolverhampton's Tolu Arokodare, were subjected to racist abuse on social media following their recent matches. The incidents come amid ongoing concerns about online hate speech and the lack of consequences for perpetrators.

Why it matters

Racist abuse directed at professional athletes highlights the persistent problem of discrimination in sports and the broader challenges of combating hateful behavior on social media platforms. These incidents underscore the need for stronger policies and enforcement to protect players and promote inclusivity in the game.

The details

In separate incidents, Fofana, Mejbri, and Arokodare all shared screenshots of the racist messages they received on Instagram after their respective matches. The abuse included slurs and other hateful language. Chelsea and Burnley condemned the behavior, stating that it has no place in the sport or society. One of the messages sent to Arokodare appeared to be from a gambler.

  • On February 22, 2026, Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare received racist messages on Instagram after a match against Crystal Palace.
  • On February 22, 2026, Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri shared racist messages they received on Instagram following their teams' 1-1 draw.
  • The incidents came days after UEFA began an investigation into claims by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior that he was racially abused on the field by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League game in Lisbon.

The players

Wesley Fofana

A Chelsea defender who was sent off in the match against Burnley and later shared screenshots of racist messages he received on Instagram.

Hannibal Mejbri

A Burnley midfielder who shared racist messages he received on Instagram following the match against Chelsea.

Tolu Arokodare

A Wolverhampton striker who showed racially aggravated messages he received on Instagram after a match against Crystal Palace.

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What they’re saying

“2026, it's still the same thing, nothing changes. These people are never punished. You create big campaigns against racism, but nobody actually does anything.”

— Wesley Fofana, Chelsea Defender

“It's 2026 and there are still people like that. Educate yourself and your kids, please.”

— Hannibal Mejbri, Burnley Midfielder

“It's still unbelievable to me that we're playing in a time where people have so much freedom to communicate such racism without any consequences.”

— Tolu Arokodare, Wolverhampton Striker

What’s next

The relevant authorities and social media platforms are expected to investigate the incidents and take appropriate action against the perpetrators of the racist abuse.

The takeaway

These incidents highlight the ongoing challenge of combating racism and hate speech in sports and on social media. Despite efforts to promote inclusivity and address discrimination, more needs to be done to protect players and hold those responsible for such behavior accountable.