Wolves striker and Sunderland winger subjected to racist abuse on social media

Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland's Romaine Mundle became the latest Premier League players to be subjected to racist abuse on social media this weekend.

Arokodare received several racist messages via Instagram after he had a penalty saved in their 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday while Sunderland also said they were "appalled by the vile online racist abuse" directed at Mundle after their 3-1 loss to Fulham.

The incidents came less than 24 hours after Wesley Fofana and Hannibal Mejbri were racially abused following Chelsea's draw with Burnley.

Wolves released a statement condemning the racist messages Arokodare received and highlighted them on their club website.

Arokodare said: "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."

Wolves have reported the messages to Instagram's parent company Meta and to the police, and said: "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."

The club added: "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."

Sunderland say they will work with the relevant authorities and online platforms to identify those responsible and "will take the strongest possible action available".

Sky Sports News has contacted Meta, Instagram's parent company, to see what action is being taken against the offending users and also West Midlands Police.

Chelsea defender Fofana was sent off in the 72nd minute of their 1-1 draw with Burnley at Stamford Bridge and shared several racist messages he received following the match.

He also wrote: "2026, it's still the same thing, nothing changes. These people are never punished. You create big campaigns against racism but nobody actually does anything."

A Chelsea statement added: "Chelsea Football Club is appalled and disgusted by vile online racist abuse directed at Wesley Fofana.

"The targeted racist abuse Wes has been subjected to following today's Premier League fixture against Burnley is abhorrent and will not be tolerated.

"Such behaviour is completely unacceptable, and runs counter to the values of the game and everything we stand for as a club. There is no room for racism.

"We stand unequivocally with Wes. He has our full support, as do all our players who are too often forced to endure this hatred simply for doing their job.

"We will work with the relevant authorities and platforms in identifying the perpetrators and take the strongest possible action."

Sky Sports News understands Lancashire Police are working with Burnley and the UK Football Policing Unit as they investigate the racist abuse sent to Mejbri on Instagram.

A Burnley statement read: "Everyone at Burnley FC is disgusted by the online racist abuse directed at Hannibal following today's Premier League fixture. 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."

Meta have removed the messages and accounts of the Instagram users who racially abused Fofana and Hannibal.

Instagram's parent company told Sky Sports News they are in contact with both clubs to further investigate.

A spokesperson said: "No one should be subjected to racist abuse and we remove this content when we find it.

"We have removed the violating messages and accounts which have been reported, and we're continuing our investigation whilst in direct contact with the clubs.

"We've developed several tools to help protect people from having to see abuse, including Hidden Words, which filters offensive comments and message requests.

"No one thing will stop racist behaviour overnight, but we'll continue working to protect our community from abuse and cooperate with police investigations."

Kick It Out's statement read: "We stand alongside Wesley Fofana and Hannibal Mejbri, who once again have both been targeted with vile abuse online.

"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."

The incidents come in the same week that Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior alleged a racist comment was made to him by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni.