The British police have launched an investigation into racist messages directed at four Premier League football players who received such abuse via social media over the weekend. Among those targeted is Wesley Fofana, a French defender for Chelsea, who shared some of the hateful messages he received on Instagram after being sent off in a match against Burnley that ended in a 1-1 draw. The messages were sent from anonymous accounts and included vile comparisons of Fofana to a monkey while suggesting he should be sent to a zoo.

Racist attacks were not limited to Fofana, as fellow Premier League player Hannibal Mejbri, a Tunisian international born in France, also reported receiving similar racist insults. Additionally, Romain Mundle of Sunderland and Nigeria's Tolu Arokodare from Wolves faced online abuse, highlighting a broader issue of racism in football. The football community continues to grapple with such incidents amid rising calls for stricter measures to combat racism both online and offline.

Mark Roberts, head of the UK Football Policing Unit, stated that there is "absolutely no room for racist abuse, whether online or in person," emphasizing that those who think they can hide behind their keyboards should reconsider. His comments reflect ongoing efforts in the UK to address and eliminate racism in sports, as authorities and clubs work together to safeguard players and promote a culture of respect within football.