Quick Read
- Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare received racist abuse on Instagram after missing a penalty against Crystal Palace.
- Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle was also targeted with online racist abuse following a loss to Fulham; he has since deactivated his Instagram.
- These incidents occurred after similar racist attacks on Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri.
- Police, including the UK Football Policing Unit, have launched investigations into the reported abuse.
- Clubs, players, and anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out have condemned the racism and called for stronger action from social media platforms.
LONDON (Azat TV) – Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle were subjected to vile racist abuse on social media this past weekend, triggering immediate police investigations and widespread condemnation across English football. The incidents, which occurred after their respective Premier League matches on Sunday, February 22, 2026, followed similar attacks on Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri just 24 hours earlier, underscoring a persistent and escalating problem of online discrimination in the sport.
The latest wave of abuse has prompted calls for stronger action from social media platforms and authorities, as players, clubs, and anti-discrimination bodies demand an end to the apparent impunity enjoyed by anonymous perpetrators.
Tolu Arokodare and Other Players Targeted
Tolu Arokodare received multiple racist messages via Instagram after he missed a penalty in Wolves’ 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday. The 25-year-old Nigerian international shared screenshots of the abuse, calling it ‘unbelievable’ that such racism could be communicated ‘without any consequences.’
On the same day, Sunderland’s Romaine Mundle was also targeted with ‘vile online racist abuse’ following his team’s 3-1 loss to Fulham. Northumbria Police are currently investigating the messages sent to Mundle on Instagram, working with the UK Football Policing Unit and Sunderland AFC. Mundle has since deactivated his Instagram account.
These incidents occurred less than a day after Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri were racially abused online. Fofana, who was sent off in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Burnley, shared several racist messages, remarking, ‘2026, it’s still the same thing, nothing changes. These people are never punished.’ Mejbri also posted abusive messages, writing on his Instagram story, ‘It’s 2026 and there are still people like that. Educate yourself and your kids, please.’ Rangers centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez also highlighted racist emojis sent to him after his side’s 2-2 draw at Livingston on Sunday.
Clubs and Players Demand Accountability
Wolverhampton Wanderers swiftly condemned the racist messages directed at Arokodare, stating on their club website, ‘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 they have reported the messages to Instagram’s parent company, Meta, and to the police, adding, ‘Tolu has our full and unwavering support. No player should be subjected to such hatred simply for doing their job.’
Sunderland AFC echoed this sentiment, expressing their disgust and pledging to work with authorities and online platforms to identify those responsible and ‘take the strongest possible action available.’ Chelsea Football Club described the abuse against Fofana as ‘abhorrent and will not be tolerated,’ while Burnley FC stated they are ‘disgusted by the online racist abuse directed at Hannibal’ and have reported the post to Meta.
Players themselves have voiced growing frustration. Arokodare emphasized the need for collective action to ‘punish everyone who taints the sport like this,’ while Fofana lamented the perceived lack of consequences for perpetrators despite ‘big campaigns against racism.’
Police Investigations and Social Media Response
The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) confirmed it had received four separate reports of abuse targeting top-flight players within the last three days. Lancashire Police are working with Burnley and the UKFPU to investigate the abuse sent to Mejbri. Authorities issued a stark warning to offenders, stating that ‘anyone who believes they can hide behind their keyboards should think again.’
Meta, Instagram’s parent company, confirmed they removed violating messages and accounts reported in connection with the Fofana and Hannibal incidents and are in contact with both clubs for further investigation. A spokesperson stated, ‘No one should be subjected to racist abuse and we remove this content when we find it.’ They also highlighted tools like ‘Hidden Words’ designed to filter offensive comments and message requests, acknowledging that ‘no one thing will stop racist behaviour overnight.’
Calls for Systemic Change to Tackle Online Racism
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out released a statement in solidarity with the players, noting, ‘This has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly.’ The charity, which has seen record reports of abuse this season, stressed that ‘action must follow’ and that players ‘cannot be expected to tolerate this behaviour.’
Wolves fans, speaking to BBC Radio WM, urged football and social media bosses to collaborate on cracking down on digital racist abuse. Manny Singh Kang, a Wolves fan and Wolves Foundation fundraiser, called for social media leaders to utilize tools to recognize offensive language and prevent it from being posted. Warinder Juss, Labour MP for Wolverhampton, pledged to escalate the case to government ministers to discuss working with social media companies.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman added that ‘The racism experienced by these footballers is abhorrent’ and that ministers would be holding social media companies ‘to account to ensure it happens.’ This latest series of incidents comes as a significant reminder of the ongoing struggle against online discrimination, despite past legal actions, such as the upcoming sentencing of Nigel Dewale for online abuse directed at England defender Jess Carter.
The repeated targeting of high-profile players highlights a critical disconnect between widespread condemnation and effective, consistent enforcement against online racist abuse, suggesting that current measures by social media platforms and legal frameworks remain insufficient to deter perpetrators.