The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) has launched several investigations following a surge of online racial abuse targeting Premier League and Scottish Premiership players this past weekend.
Investigators are tracking abuse directed at Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley), Tolu Arokodare (Wolves), and Romaine Mundle (Sunderland).
Police Scotland is also investigating racist messages sent to Rangers duo Emmanuel Fernandez and Djeidi Gassama.
Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out reports that online abuse has increased by a third compared to this time last season, while the UKFPU has seen a 115% spike in reports.
“There is absolutely no place for racial abuse… anyone who believes they can hide behind their keyboards should think again.”— Mark Roberts, Chief Constable & Head of UKFPU
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the abuse “abhorrent” and stated that ministers will hold social media platforms like Meta accountable.
Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor attributed the rising numbers to a combination of players having more courage to speak out and a “political climate” emboldening trolls.
