Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has condemned the racial abuse aimed at a string of Premier League players, warning it is “very easy” for social media users to target them without facing punishment.
Blues defender Wesley Fofana was sent a series of abusive messages on Instagram last weekend after being sent off during his side’s 1-1 draw at home to Burnley, with Clarets midfielder Hannibal Mejbri also subjected to online vitriol.
Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle were targeted as well, in what anti-discrimination group Kick It Out described as an “appalling weekend”.
Speaking before his side’s visit to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, Rosenior said it had been a difficult experience for Fofana.
“It is very easy to write whatever you want with no consequence when you are on social media,” said Rosenior.
“Wes is a tough guy. He is a good guy. It affects you in ways that shouldn’t exist. It shouldn’t exist, whether it is online, whether it is verbal, in person.
“It is just something that we have to try our very best to eradicate from life, let alone football. But Wes is absolutely fine.
“In a perfect world, players don’t take notice of what is on social media. The reality is that they do because they are human beings.
The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) is investigating the incidents and said it would “do everything possible to identify those responsible and bring them to justice”.
Fofana shared several screenshots of private messages he received after the game and then posted a message which read: “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.”
What happened is unacceptable – Le Bris
On Thursday, Wolves manager Rob Edwards and Sunderland counterpart Regis le Bris also hit out at the abuse their players had suffered.
Nigerian Arokodare, 25, had been part of the Wolves side beaten 1-0 at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
“[It’s been a] really difficult week for him [Arokodare],” said Edwards. “He was upset and angered by it, understandably so.
“We have supported him, and we have had a few individual chats with him. We have spoken about it as a group to make sure we get around him and support him as well.”
Sunderland’s English winger Mundle, 22, was also targeted following his substitute appearance in Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat by Fulham.
“What happened to Romaine is unacceptable – we stand with him,” said Le Bris.
“There is no room for racism or abuse in football or anywhere else. That’s clear for us. We stand for respect, inclusion and diversity – these are the values of football and the values of the club.”
