Wesley Fofana and Hannibal Mejbri targeted after 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge
wesley fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri were both subjected to racist messages on Instagram after Burnley drew 1-1 at Chelsea. The two clubs, the Premier League and the players involved have issued condemnations and said they will pursue identification and action.
Wesley Fofana sent off after two yellow cards and then abused online
Wesley Fofana was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the match that finished 1-1. The first of those bookings was for a foul on Hannibal Mejbri. After the dismissal, Fofana posted screenshots of racist messages he had received and 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. " Chelsea Football Club described the online abuse directed at Wesley Fofana as "vile" and said the targeted racist abuse he had been subjected to following today’s Premier League fixture against Burnley was "abhorrent and will not be tolerated. "
Hannibal Mejbri shares abuse and urges education
Midfielder Hannibal Mejbri also shared an image of racist messages he received, posting the abuse he had been sent in a direct message on Instagram and writing: "It's 2026 and there still ppl like that... Educate yourself and your kids pls. " Mejbri was the player fouled for the first yellow card that contributed to Fofana's dismissal in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
Burnley condemns abuse, reports posts and vows investigation
Burnley FC said that "Everyone at Burnley FC is disgusted by the online racist abuse directed at Hannibal following today's Premier League fixture" and added "There is no place for this in our society and we condemn it unreservedly. " The club said it remains "unequivocal in its stance" with a "zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination. " Burnley confirmed it had reported the post to Instagram's parent company, Meta, and to the Premier League and the police, and said it expects strong support from those bodies and will work to ensure the individual responsible is identified and investigated. The club also said Hannibal will receive the full backing of the club and from Burnley fans who have condemned the abuse, asserting that "there is no room for racism. "
Chelsea pledges support for Wes and action with authorities and platforms
Chelsea said it was "appalled and disgusted by vile online racist abuse directed at Wesley Fofana, " adding that such behaviour "runs counter to the values of the game and everything we stand for as a club. " The club said "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. " Chelsea said it will work with the relevant authorities and platforms in identifying the perpetrators and will take the strongest possible action.
Premier League joins condemnation and warns of strongest consequences
On social media, and before the abuse of Fofana emerged, the Premier League joined Burnley in condemning the racist abuse directed at Hannibal and offered its full support to the player and club, saying "Football is for everyone and there is no place for discriminatory abuse in our game or anywhere in society. " The league warned that any individuals identified and found guilty of discrimination would face the strongest possible consequences, "including club bans and legal prosecution. "
