Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland have condemned online racist abuse sent to their players, in the third and fourth such incidents involving Premier League clubs this weekend.
Wolves’ Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland’s Romaine Mundle received racist abuse after playing on Sunday, while Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri were the victims after playing on Saturday.
Wolves shared the discriminatory messages on their official social media channels. They shared Instagram activity from four users, who sent abuse to Arokodare and did not conceal the accounts’ names.
Arokodare had a penalty saved in Wolves’ 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on Sunday, and he shared the same screenshots of abuse on his personal Instagram account.
“It’s still unbelievable to me that we’re playing in a time when people have so much freedom to communicate such racism without any consequences,” Arokodare, 25, added. “These individuals should have no place in our game and collectively we have to take action to punish everyone who taints the sport like this, no matter who they are.”
In a statement, Wolves said they were “disgusted” by the abuse and added: “We condemn this abhorrent and unlawful behaviour in the strongest possible terms. Tolu has our full and unwavering support.”
Sunderland said they were “appalled by the vile online racist abuse” directed at Mundle. The 22-year-old missed a chance in Sunday’s game against Fulham, who went on to win 3-1 at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland added that the perpetrators “are not welcome on Wearside”.
Mundle was subjected to racist abuse after Sunderland’s 3-1 defeat by Fulham at the Stadium of Light
SIMON DAVIES/SHUTTERSTOCK
It has been an ugly weekend, with numerous incidents of racism towards Premier League players. Fofana, 25, who was sent off against Burnley on Saturday, spoke out after receiving abuse, as did Mejbri, 23, after playing in the same game. Chelsea and Burnley released statements condemning the abuse.
Wolves, Sunderland, Chelsea and Burnley all said they would work with the Premier League and online platforms to identify the perpetrators.
The incidents also follow Vinícius Jr, the Real Madrid winger, accusing the Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him during their Champions League knockout-stage play-off last Tuesday.