Premier League Players Face Racist Abuse Online After Matches

Incidents highlight ongoing issues with online harassment and discrimination in soccer

Feb. 23, 2026 at 12:51am

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Three Premier League players - Chelsea's Wesley Fofana, Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri, and Wolverhampton's Tolu Arokodare - were targeted with racist abuse on social media after their teams' matches this past weekend. The players shared screenshots of the hateful messages they received, sparking condemnation from their clubs and renewed calls to address racism in the sport.

Why it matters

These incidents are the latest examples of the persistent problem of racism and discrimination that many professional athletes, especially players of color, continue to face both on and off the field. They underscore the need for stronger measures to combat online abuse and hold perpetrators accountable, as well as broader efforts to promote inclusion and diversity in the sport.

The details

Fofana and Mejbri were sent racist messages over Instagram following Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Burnley, while Arokodare received similar abuse on the platform after Wolverhampton's 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace. The players shared screenshots of the hateful messages, with Fofana writing that 'these people are never punished' and Mejbri calling for better education to address the issue. Chelsea and Burnley both condemned the abuse in statements, pledging to work with authorities to identify the perpetrators.

  • The incidents occurred this past weekend after Premier League matches on February 23, 2026.

The players

Wesley Fofana

A defender for Chelsea who was sent off in the match against Burnley.

Hannibal Mejbri

A midfielder for Burnley who played in the match against Chelsea.

Tolu Arokodare

A striker for Wolverhampton Wanderers who had a penalty saved in the match against Crystal Palace.

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What they’re saying

“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 Wanderers striker

“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

What’s next

UEFA has already begun an investigation into claims of racial abuse against Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during a Champions League match, and the Premier League clubs have pledged to work with authorities to identify the perpetrators of the abuse against their players.

The takeaway

These incidents underscore the ongoing battle against racism and discrimination in soccer, which continues to plague the sport at the highest levels. While clubs and leagues have made efforts to combat such abuse, more comprehensive and effective measures are clearly needed to protect players and foster a truly inclusive environment in the game.