Chelsea player Wesley Fofana faces racist abuse on social media after Burnley match

Chelsea player Wesley Fofana received racist messages after a match. This is not the first time players have faced online hate.
By Newsroom | Sports, Football |

Football player Wesley Fofana was subjected to racist messages on social media following a match. Chelsea Football Club has officially spoken out against this abuse, stating their commitment to eradicating such behavior.

The incident occurred after Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Burnley. Fofana received a red card during the game, and shortly afterward, he shared screenshots of racist messages he had received on his social media accounts. This led to Chelsea releasing a statement condemning the actions and offering their full support to Fofana and all players who face similar abuse.

Chelsea respond to 'vile' racist abuse of Wesley Fofana as statement made - 1

Background of the Incident

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Chelsea played Burnley in a Premier League match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Wesley Fofana, a defender for Chelsea, was shown a red card in the second half of the game after receiving two yellow cards.

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Following the match, Fofana used his Instagram account to display racist messages and offensive emojis that were sent to him. These messages appeared to target him due to his race.

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Club's Official Response

Chelsea Football Club has issued a statement strongly condemning the racist abuse directed at Wesley Fofana.

  • The club stated: "There is no room for racism."

  • They affirmed their "full support" for Fofana.

  • Chelsea also extended their support to "all our players who are too often forced to endure this hatred simply for doing their job."

  • The club indicated a commitment to working with authorities to identify those responsible and impose severe consequences, including potential bans and legal action.

Wider Reactions and Similar Incidents

Wesley Fofana was not the only player targeted. Hannibal Mejbri, a midfielder for Burnley, also reportedly received racist abuse on social media following the same match. Burnley Football Club also released a statement condemning the abuse directed at their player and reported the offending accounts to Meta and the Lancashire Constabulary.

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Organizations like Kick It Out, a football equality and inclusion charity, have commented on the situation. They expressed that such abuse is "abhorrent and will not be tolerated." Kick It Out has also echoed Fofana's call for platforms to take action and for everyone to take responsibility in combating racism.

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Evidence of Abuse

Wesley Fofana himself shared evidence of the abuse.

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  • He posted screenshots on his Instagram story.

  • These screenshots contained racial slurs and offensive emojis.

  • The timing of the abuse appeared to be directly linked to his red card in the match against Burnley.

Some individuals apparently blamed Fofana's sending-off for Chelsea dropping points in the draw, channeling football-related frustration into racist attacks.

Club Statements and Player Support

Multiple news outlets reported on Chelsea's response and the nature of the abuse.

"Chelsea have issued a statement condemning the vile racist abuse directed at defender Wesley Fofana following his red card against Burnley." (football.london)

"Chelsea have released a stern statement condemning disgusting racist abuse aimed at Wesley Fofana." (Mirror)

"Chelsea respond to 'vile' racist abuse of Wesley Fofana as statement made." (Express)

The statements consistently highlight the club's stance against racism and their backing of their player.

Ongoing Concerns

The recurrence of such incidents raises broader questions about online abuse in football and the effectiveness of measures to prevent it. The sentiment that "players are tired and frustrated" with this persistent issue has been noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Chelsea player Wesley Fofana get racist messages after the Burnley match on Saturday, February 21, 2026?
Wesley Fofana received racist messages on social media after he was shown a red card during Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Burnley. People sent him offensive messages and emojis online.
Q: What did Chelsea Football Club say about the racist abuse towards Wesley Fofana?
Chelsea strongly condemned the racist abuse. The club said there is no place for racism, offered full support to Fofana, and promised to work with others to find those responsible.
Q: Was only Wesley Fofana targeted with racist abuse after the Chelsea vs Burnley game?
No, Burnley player Hannibal Mejbri also received racist abuse on social media after the same match. Burnley Football Club also spoke out against this abuse.
Q: What is being done to stop this kind of racist abuse in football?
Chelsea and Burnley are working with authorities to find the people sending abuse. Groups like Kick It Out are also pushing for social media platforms and everyone to take action against racism.
Q: How did Wesley Fofana show the racist messages he received?
Wesley Fofana shared screenshots of the racist messages and offensive emojis on his Instagram story for his followers to see.