Sunderland and Wolves condemn ‘disgusting’ racist abuse sent to players Tolu Arokodare and Romaine Mundle on social media at the weekend.
On Saturday, Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri received abuse on Instagram following the 1-1 draw.
Then on Sunday, Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare was targeted with a number of racist messages after missing a penalty in a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace.
On the same day, Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle received vile online racist abuse in his side’s 3-1 home defeat to Fulham.
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 22, 2026
Dean Henderson guesses right and saves Tolu Arokodare’s penatly! 🧤 pic.twitter.com/VSgbzLrjyc
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 22, 2026
WOLVES STATEMENT:
Wolves are disgusted by numerous instances of racist abuse, from multiple perpetrators, directed at Tolu Arokodare on social media following today’s fixture against Crystal Palace.
There is no place for racism – in football, online, or anywhere in society. We condemn this abhorrent and unlawful behaviour in the strongest possible terms.
Tolu has our full and unwavering support. No player should be subjected to such hatred simply for doing their job. We stand firmly alongside him, and alongside all footballers who are forced to endure this abuse from anonymous accounts acting with apparent impunity.
The club has reported the posts to the relevant platforms and will work with the Premier League and the authorities to help identify those responsible and ensure appropriate action is taken. We will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination.
Arokodare on his Instagram story: “It’s still unbelievable to me that we’re playing in a time where people have so much freedom to communicate such racism without any consequences.
“These individuals should have no place in our game and collectively we have to take action to punish everyone who taints the sport like this, no matter who they are.”
Sunderland AFC is appalled by the vile online racist abuse directed at Romaine Mundle following today’s Premier League fixture against Fulham.
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) February 22, 2026
Romaine Mundle at full-time. A huge chance missed, and the momentum shifted straight after.
He’s finding it tough right now, but he’s a Sunderland player and he needs backing.
Fair criticism obviously part of the game and warranted – but let’s remember that he is human.#SAFC pic.twitter.com/jM6YvGMNVs
— James Copley (@JamesCopley_) February 22, 2026
SUNDERLAND STATEMENT:
Sunderland AFC is appalled by the vile online racist abuse directed at Romaine Mundle following today’s Premier League fixture against Fulham.
The abhorrent behaviour displayed by multiple individuals is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the Club under any circumstances.
There is no place for racism in our society, and we stand with Romaine, who has our full support.
The Club is actively working with the relevant authorities and online platforms to identify those responsible, and we will take the strongest possible action available to us.
These individuals do not represent Sunderland AFC, our values, or our community – and they are not welcome on Wearside.
Granit Xhaka said via his Instagram story: Why do things like this keep happening? When you’re winning, everyone stands behind you. The moment you lose, everything you’ve accomplished is forgotten. You should never forget where you come from!!! We are with you, Romaine.
Hannibal Mejbri and Wesley Fofana speak out after being sent racist abuse after Chelsea v Burnley draw
Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said on Sunday evening: “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.”
Kick It Out said: “Players are standing up to discrimination, and we’ve had record reports to Kick It Out from across football this season, but we recognise the frustration in how it continues to fester online.
“Words matter, but actions are more important. Football is working together to tackle this issue alongside the UK Football Policing Unit and Ofcom, but social media companies must do more to offer protections to players and help improve accountability when incidents occur.
“Those who face this disgusting abuse must always be the priority.”
Responding to the Fofana and Mejbri abuse, a spokesperson for Meta, which owns platforms including Instagram, told BBC Sport: “No-one should be subjected to racist abuse, and we remove this content when we find it.
“No one thing will stop racist behaviour overnight, but we’ll continue working to protect our community from abuse and co-operate with police investigations.”
