Another sickening racism row mars football match as fans abuse players

A non-league clash between Brigg Town and Route One Rovers was marred by incidents of sickening racist abuse, in a week where top-flight players have been targeted

Football has been marred by yet another racism row after sickening scenes at a non league match. The latest incident comes after a week of scandals involving Real Madrid, Chelsea, Burnley and Wolves.

Bradford-based Route One Rovers said “racist, Islamophobic and discriminatory” abuse was directed at its players and coaching staff during a game.

They said the abuse took place during their match away to Lincolnshire side Brigg Town on Saturday. Both clubs have condemned the incident, which Brigg Town said was allegedly committed by “a small number of individuals in the crowd”.

“Racism has absolutely no place in football and it certainly has no place at our club,” said Brigg chairman Jim Huxford.

The Northern Counties East League Division One fixture was temporarily stopped when the incident was reported to the match referee in the second half.

READ MORE: Four Premier League stars hit with vile racist abuse as Wolves and Sunderland issue statementsREAD MORE: Chelsea release statement on ‘vile’ racist abuse directed at Wesley Fofana

Route One Rovers said several of its team members were currently observing Ramadan, “making the incident even more distressing”. A spokesman said: “We were also extremely disappointed to hear discriminatory comments directed towards individuals with disabilities.

“We are proud of the dignity, strength and professionalism shown by our players and coaching staff in difficult circumstances.” Brigg Town said they were conducting an internal investigation in the incident, adding: “[We] will work closely with the FA and the league as they carry out their own enquiries.”

Huxford said: “We ask all supporters to represent this club with pride, respect and integrity at all times.” Route One Rovers won the match 1-0.

Over the weekend four Premier League stars were subjected to shocking online racist abuse. They hit back and criticised the football authorities saying “nothing changes.”

Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Burnley star Hannibal Mejbri spoke after sickening taunts were posted online after their clubs’ match on Saturday. While Tolu Arokadare and Romaine Mundle of Wolves and Sunderland respectively were targeted on Sunday.

Those incidents came just days after Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jnr complained about racism in a Champions League match which was briefly stopped by the referee

Fofana, who was sent off for a second yellow card in game at Stamford Bridge shared several screenshots of private messages he received on Instagram after the game.

He 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.” Chelsea said they were “appalled and disgusted” by the “vile” abuse, saying it was “abhorrent and will not be tolerated”.

In a statement they said: “Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and runs counter to the values of the game and everything we stand for as a club. There is no room for racism.

“We stand unequivocally with Wes. He has our full support, as do all our players who are too often forced to endure this hatred simply for doing their job. We will work with the relevant authorities and platforms in identifying the perpetrators and take the strongest possible action.”

Burnley’s Tunisia international Mejbri shared an image of an offensive message on Instagram and in another post wrote: “It’s 2026 and there are still people like that. Educate yourself and your kids, please.”

His club said they were “disgusted” by the abuse, adding in a statement: “The club has reported the post to Instagram’s parent company, Meta, and expects strong support from them, together with the Premier League and the police, and will work to ensure that the individual responsible is identified and investigated.

“There is no place for this in our society and we condemn it unreservedly.”

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