The Premier League has released a statement after Wesley Fofana shared abusive messages he received following Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday afternoon. The Blues had led until the 93rd minute, but their hard work came undone at Stamford Bridge after Fofana's lunging tackle on James Ward-Prowse earlier in the game saw the referee issue the club's eighth red card of the season.
In the dying minutes of stoppage time, Scott Parker's side’s numerical advantage paid dividends as Zian Flemming nodded home the equaliser. The result offered a glimmer of hope for Burnley’s survival chances, while also putting a huge dent in Chelsea’s ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League next season, with them possibly ending the weekend fifth and level on points with sixth-placed Liverpool if teams around them capitalise.
There is no doubt that Fofana's dismissal played an important role in Liam Rosenior's side's slip-up, but the abuse he has received online has gone far beyond criticism. Both the Premier League and Chelsea have released statements following racial abuse directed at the 25-year-old defender.
Premier League Statement as Fofana Shares Racist Messages He Received
Wesley Fofana red card
After Saturday's match, Fofana received a wave of online abuse, and shared four of the racist messages he had been sent through his Instagram DMs, posting them to his story. In his final post of the night, he wrote:
"2026, it's still the same thing, nothing changes. These people are never punished. You create big campaigns against racism, but nobody actually does anything."
The Premier League has since released a statement in support of the Frenchman, reading (see below):
"We stand alongside Wesley Fofana and Chelsea in condemning the vile racist abuse he has received on social media. Racism has no place in our game or anywhere in society, and we will continue to do all we can to support players who are subjected to discriminatory abuse. Football is for everyone."
Chelsea also issued a statement on the club's wesbite, stating they are "appalled" and "disgusted" by the "vile online racist abuse directed at Wesley Fofana." It continued: "The targeted racist abuse Wes has been subjected to following today’s Premier League fixture against Burnley is abhorrent and will not be tolerated.
"Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and runs counter to the values of the game and everything we stand for as a club. There is no room for racism.
"We stand unequivocally with Wes. He has our full support, as do all our players who are too often forced to endure this hatred simply for doing their job. We will work with the relevant authorities and platforms in identifying the perpetrators and take the strongest possible action."
Hannibal Also Subjected to Racial Discrimination
Hannibal Mejbri
Unfortunately, Fofana wasn't the only one to receive abuse after Saturday afternoon's encounter, with Burnley also being forced to address racist comments made towards young midfielder Hannibal Mejbri. Both players have since also spoken out against racism as a whole on their social media accounts in similar fashion.
Hannibal wrote to his Instagram story: "It's 2026 and there's still people like that. Educate yourself and your kids please. See both players' messages below):
It's not the first time the aforementioned Tunisia international, Hannibal, has been subjected to racial abuse over a football match. Preston North End's Milutin Osmajic was fined £21,000 by the FA last season after being charged with an "aggravated” breach of their rules.
The Championship player denied the allegations made against him but was ordered to undergo an education course. Meanwhile, he was also slapped with a nine-match suspension.