Police investigate racist abuse aimed at four Premier League players

Guardian Sport

by Ed Aarons

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Police are investigating a series of online racist abuse incidents targeting four Premier League players over the weekend, with officials warning perpetrators that they cannot escape accountability by hiding behind anonymous accounts. The victims include Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland midfielder Romaine Mundle, who reported abusive messages following their Sunday matches. Earlier in the week, Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri also revealed they had been targeted with racist messages after Saturday’s games. These incidents have sparked calls for social media companies like Meta (owner of Instagram) to take stronger measures to identify and penalize those responsible. The issue has gained significant attention, with the Prime Minister’s spokesperson urging tech platforms to step up their efforts in combating online harassment. Kick It Out, an organization dedicated to eradicating discrimination in football, has also joined the call for action. The timing of these incidents highlights a concerning trend of online abuse against athletes, particularly Black players, who have faced similar issues in

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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 2/23/2026