CHELSEA defender Wesley Fofana has hit back at the racist abuse he suffered in the aftermath of Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat against Arsenal writes Vlad Andrejevic.
The 24-year-old took to social media to share six screenshots of racist messages he received, along with a post that read: “2025, stupidity and cruelty can no longer hide. It’s not just football; it’s not just a ‘game’ when some believe that their skin colour makes them superior to others. It’s time for things to change, for platforms to take action, and everyone to take responsibility.”
Chelsea released a statement supporting the France international shortly after, condemning the abuse and vowing to contact Instagram.
“Chelsea Football Club is appalled and disgusted by the recent rise in online racial abuse towards our players,” the club said in a statement.
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“The abuse Wes Fofana has been subjected to following yesterday’s fixture is abhorrent and will not be tolerated. Wes and all our players have our full support.
“We will work with the relevant authorities in identifying the perpetrators and take the strongest possible action.”
This is unfortunately only the latest example of targeted racism towards a player in recent weeks, with Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Fulham’s Calvin Bassey, AC Milan’s Kyle Walker and Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw all also suffering such abhorrent abuse.
ABUSE: Khadija Shaw of Manchester City Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
Clubs have universally reacted by calling for more to be done by the social media companies, however it is clearly falling on deaf ears.
It is telling that the corporations choose not to comment, leaving other players vulnerable to future abuse.
In Fofana’s case, it’s not the first time he has taken to social media to combat and highlight racism.
Following Argentina’s Copa America triumph last summer, he called out his club teammate Enzo Fernandez after a video was released of him and members of the Argentina squad chanting racist songs on the team bus about members of the France squad.
At the time, he wrote “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism” on Instagram, whilst the club launched an internal investigation.
Fernandez issued an apology and the case was eventually dropped, with the Argentina international escaping punishment before being made vice-captain months later.
farenet.org