By TAMARA PRENN, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 17:27 EST, 21 February 2026 | Updated: 17:27 EST, 21 February 2026
Burnley have shared a statement condemning vile racist abuse Hannibal Mejbri received in the wake of his late draw with Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.
Mejbri started in the away clash, which saw Scott Parker's side snatch a point with a vital goal deep into injury time at Stamford Bridge.
But as is distressingly common, in the wake of the result, Mejbri was targeted by unhappy trolls on social media.
The Manchester United academy graduate shared one upsetting message to his Instagram Stories in a bid to shine a light on the extent of the abuse that footballers receive win, lose or draw, captioning the screenshot 'pfff ...'
In his next story, Mejbri offered a message to his trolls, writing: 'It's 2026 and there are still (people) like that ...
'Educate yourself and your kids pls'.
Hannibal Mejbri revealed that he was subject to vile racist abuse after Burnley drew with Chelsea on Saturday
The Clarets star shared the abuse on social media and received full backing from his club
Burnley threw their full support behind their player with the issuing of statement soon after the match, detailing how 'disgusted' they are by the messages Mejbri was forced to receive.
'Everyone at Burnley FC is disgusted by the online racist abuse directed at Hannibal following today's Premier League fixture,' the statement read. 'There is no place for this in our society and we condemn it unreservedly.
'The club continues to be unequivocal in its stance – we have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination.
'The club has reported the post to Instagram's parent company, Meta, and expects strong support from them, together with the Premier League and the Police, and will work to ensure that the individual responsible is identified and investigated.
'Hannibal will receive the full backing from the club and from the Burnley fans who we have already seen condemning the abuse.
'There is no room for racism.'
Last season saw Mejbri the victim of racist abuse on the pitch, with Preston's Milutin Osmajic handed a nine-game ban by the FA after he was found to have racially abused his opponent during a Championship tie in February.
Osmajic strongly refuted that he had done so, but the Regulatory Commission proved the charge in November.
Mejbri was previously the victim of racist abuse on the pitch, with Preston's Milutin Osmajic handed a nine-game ban after the FA found charges against him
During the tie, the two players were seen exchanging words in the 56th minute of the game.
Mejbri had faced away from Osmajic until reacting, seemingly to something that was said, and issued a complaint.
He then spoke to the referee, manager Scott Parker and other players, with the incident noted and a meeting held after the game.
Mejbri took to social media to continue his accusation, writing: 'I will not be silent about what happened today.
'I will always call out racism whenever I hear or see it.
'That is the only way we change as a sport and a society. I am a strong person but nobody should have to experience this disgusting abuse on the pitch.'
Burnley players then snubbed shaking hands with Montenegrin Osmajic before their FA Cup fifth-round tie two weeks later.
Osmajic scored in the game and mocked Burnley fans in his celebration.
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