ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 13: Arsenal Academy Coach Josh Smith and Arsenal Academy Kitman Mark Bonnick during the Arsenal U18 training session at London Colney on November 13, 2023 in St Albans, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mark Bonnick is a kit man in Arsenal's academy
Arsenal have confirmed that they have opened an investigation after youth kit man Mark Bonnick was accused of posting antisemitic comments on social media.
Bonnick works within the Gunners' academy and it is alleged that an account on X, which has his name and photograph, has been involved in a series of exchanges with members of the Jewish community. The accusations come amid an armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups which is taking place in the Gaza Strip.
On December 4, the account which is believed to belong to Bonnick, in response to someone, posted: "Hamas offered to release all hostages in October. Zionist Israel refused. Persecution complex." Three days later, a post read: "Why should they be protected any more than any other community? Some see this as the problem Jewish communities thinking they should be put before others."
During an argument about the Israel-Hamas war, there are said to be references to 'Jewish supremacy' and 'ethnic cleansing'. The account has since been deleted. The exchanges, however, have been published by another account on the platform and were seen by the Times.
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It's understood that Arsenal have received a complaint from at least one supporters group following the posts. The Premier League club said in a statement: "We are investigating this matter in line with our internal policies and procedures. Arsenal stands against all forms of abuse and discrimination."
Should Bonnick be found responsible for the posts, he could also be the subject of an investigation by the FA as a participant in the game.
The news of Arsenal's investigation broke as the Gunners faced Monaco in the Champions League. Bukayo Saka scored twice and Kai Havertz got on the scoresheet to move Mikel Arteta's side onto 13 points, currently enough for third in the 36-team table.
The account in question appears to have been deleted ( Image: X)
Arsenal will play two more Champions League fixtures in January before the first phase of this season's new format comes to a conclusion. The Gunners are on course to qualify automatically for the knockout stages but should they drop below eighth position, they'd be involved in a two-legged play-off which would take place in February.
The Gunners welcome Everton at 3pm on Saturday before hosting Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup next Wednesday. Coincidentally, Arteta and Co. will travel to Palace four days later in the Premier League. Their final match of 2024 is at home to Ipswich Town on Friday, December 27.