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Jack Stott Profile Image
Hannibal Mejbri (Image: PA)
Hannibal Mejbri (Image: PA)
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Police are investigating online abuse directed at a Burnley FC player over the weekend, with offenders warned: “Anyone who believes they can hide behind their keyboards should think again”.
The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) said it had received a report that Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri was one of four players to have been on the end of racist abuse during this weekend’s fixtures.
Mejbri had shared abusive messages he had received and wrote on his Instagram story: “It’s 2026 and there are still people like that. Educate yourself and your kids, please.”
Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland midfielder Romaine Mundle became the latest players to be targeted by online abuse on Sunday, following on from abuse aimed at Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and the Burnley midfielder.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the head of the UKFPU, said on Monday: “There is absolutely no place for racial abuse, either online or in person, and anyone who believes they can hide behind their keyboards should think again.
“The UKFPU condemns this abhorrent behaviour and we will ensure that, through our dedicated team of officers, we do everything possible to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”
Arokodare missed a penalty in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace and subsequently received racist messages from several accounts.
The Black Cats later revealed Mundle had been the victim of similar attacks after his substitute appearance in the 3-1 loss to Fulham.
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, which has called for platforms to do more to address the problem, issued a statement on Sunday evening which read: “We stand in solidarity with Wolves’ Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland’s Romaine Mundle.
“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 message from them is loud and clear: action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behaviour, and nor should anyone else.”
Great Harwood’s Nigel Dewale, who sent online abuse to England defender Jess Carter during the Women’s Euro last summer, is set to be sentenced on March 25 after pleading guilty to a charge of malicious communication in January.
Dewale’s arrest and subsequent conviction came about after an investigation was launched by the UKFPU last July.