Four Premier League stars hit with vile racist abuse as two more clubs speak out

Wolves and Sunderland have both had to come out and defend their players in the wake of more racist abuse online, which comes just a day after Chelsea and Burnley stars were targeted

Wolves and Sunderland have both come out in defence of their players following racist abuse this weekend as they condemned those involved and signalled their intent to take action.

Both teams lost at the weekend. The Black Cats going down at home to Fulham whilst Crystal Palace got the better of Wolves. A minority of social media users have targeted certain players, which has seen their clubs speak out.

Wolves said that “multiple perpetrators” took aim at Tolu Arokodare on social media. Sunderland also came out and said that Romaine Mundle had been the victim of racist abuse online.

In a statement the Premier League’s bottom side said: “Tolu has our full and unwavering support. No player should be subjected to such hatred simply for doing their job. We stand firmly alongside him, and alongside all footballers who are forced to endure this abuse from anonymous accounts acting with apparent impunity.

“The club has reported the posts to the relevant platforms and will work with the Premier League and the authorities to help identify those responsible and ensure appropriate action is taken. We will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination.”

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Arokodare posted on social media: “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.

“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.”

Meanwhile Sunderland, who have seen their results drop off following their impressive start to the season, said: “The Club is actively working with the relevant authorities and online platforms to identify those responsible, and we will take the strongest possible action available to us. These individuals do not represent Sunderland AFC, our values, or our community – and they are not welcome on Wearside.”

It comes after vile abuse was also directed at Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana, prompting them to jump to his defence. They drew 1-1 with Burnley and the French defender was sent-off in the second half after picking up a second yellow card.

A club statement read: ” Chelsea Football Club is appalled and disgusted by vile online racist abuse directed at Wesley Fofana. The targeted racist abuse Wes has been subjected to following today’s Premier League fixture against Burnley is abhorrent and will not be tolerated. 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.”

Fofana said: “2026, it’s still the same thing, nothing changes. You create big campaigns against racism, but nobody actually does anything.”

It wasn’t the only racist incident that emerged from the game with Burnley also releasing a statement condemning abuse targeting Hannibal Mejbri.

He responded to the messages saying: “It’s 2026 and there are still people like that. Educate yourself and your kids.”

Social media has long faced criticism for failing to control or sufficiently punish those who use their accounts to abuse footballers. Instagram owner Meta and the Premier Leagu ehave condemned the abuse.

It also comes after a week where Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jnr is again in the headlines after flagging up a racist slur from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni in their Champions League clash. Prestianni denies the allegation.

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