Racism stains Premier League weekend again

A third Premier League player has been racially abused in 24 hours, as Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare revealed he received racist messages after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

The Nigeria international missed a first-half penalty and later shared screenshots of private messages sent to him on social media.

His case follows similar abuse aimed at:

• Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley)

• Wesley Fofana (Chelsea)

Both were targeted after Burnley’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Arokodare: “Unbelievable we are still here”

Arokodare responded publicly on Instagram:

“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.”

He called for collective action, adding that those responsible “should have no place in our game.”

Wolves condemn abuse

Wolves released a strong statement backing their striker:

“There is no place for racism – in football, online, or anywhere in society. We condemn this abhorrent and unlawful behaviour in the strongest possible terms.”

The club confirmed:

• Posts have been reported to platforms

• Authorities and the Premier League are involved

• A zero-tolerance approach will continue

Growing frustration from players

Fofana also spoke out:

“2026, it’s still the same thing, nothing changes. These people are never punished.”

Mejbri urged education and accountability, highlighting the deeper social issue behind repeated incidents.

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said social media companies must do more to protect players and improve accountability.

Meta, which owns Instagram, said racist content is removed when found but acknowledged the wider challenge.

A recurring problem

This weekend’s incidents come after:

• Alleged racial abuse of Vinicius Junior in European competition

• Previous cases involving Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka following Euro 2020

• Multiple investigations into abuse both online and inside stadiums

Despite campaigns, bans, and public statements, the pattern persists.

The bigger issue

For players, the emotional toll is real. For clubs and governing bodies, the pressure to move beyond statements into effective enforcement continues to grow.

Three cases in one weekend underline a painful truth: football still hasn’t solved its racism problem — especially online.