Wesley Fofana and Hannibal Mejbri abused online after 1-1 draw

Wesley Fofana was among two players targeted with racist messages on Instagram following the Premier League match that finished as a 1-1 draw. Both Chelsea and Burnley issued strong statements condemning the abuse and said they would work with platforms and authorities to identify the perpetrators.

Wesley Fofana targeted online

Chelsea said it was "appalled and disgusted by vile online racist abuse directed at Wesley Fofana, " adding that "the targeted racist abuse Wes has been subjected to following today’s Premier League fixture against Burnley is abhorrent and will not be tolerated. " The club said such behaviour "is completely unacceptable and runs counter to the values of the game" and that "there is no room for racism. " Chelsea said it stands "unequivocally with Wes" and that Fofana has the club’s full support. The club also pledged to work with "the relevant authorities and platforms in identifying the perpetrators and take the strongest possible action. "

Hannibal Mejbri also abused after the 1-1 draw

Hannibal Mejbri shared a direct message screenshot of racist abuse he received after Burnley drew 1-1 at Chelsea. Mejbri wrote on Instagram: "It's 2026 and there still ppl like that … Educate yourself and your kids pls. " The game itself featured disciplinary action against Wesley Fofana: he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, the first of which "was for fouling Hannibal. "

Burnley condemns the abuse and reports it

Burnley said: "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 added that it "continues to be unequivocal in its stance -- we have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination. " Burnley confirmed it had reported the post to Instagram's parent company, Meta, and "expects strong support from them, together with the Premier League and the police, " and said it will "work to ensure that the individual responsible is identified and investigated. " The club also said Hannibal "will receive the full backing from the club and from the Burnley fans who we have already seen condemning the abuse. "

Premier League warns of consequences

The Premier League joined the condemnation, saying: "We join Burnley in strongly condemning the abhorrent racist abuse directed at Hannibal and have offered our full support to the player and club. " The league added: "Football is for everyone and there is no place for discriminatory abuse in our game or anywhere in society. " It warned that "any individuals identified and found guilty of discrimination will face the strongest possible consequences, including club bans and legal prosecution. "

Players post screenshots and demand action

Both Mejbri and Fofana posted screenshots of the messages they received on Instagram. Fofana 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 repeated that it "will work with the relevant authorities and platforms in identifying the perpetrators and take the strongest possible action. " Burnley said it had reported the incident to Meta, the Premier League and the police and expects those bodies to support the investigation.

Both clubs have pledged support for the players and action against those responsible; Burnley has reported the abuse to Meta, the Premier League and the police, and Chelsea has said it will work with the relevant authorities and platforms to identify perpetrators and take the strongest possible action.