Wolves striker, Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle have become the latest Premier League players to suffer racist abuse on social media, marking what has been described as an “appalling weekend” in English football, according to BBC Sport.
The incidents came a day after Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri and Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana were targeted on Instagram following their 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
“This has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media,” anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said on Sunday evening. “But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly.
“The message from them is loud and clear: action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behaviour, and nor should anyone else.”
Wolves expressed their disgust after Arokodare faced abuse from “multiple perpetrators” following his side’s 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, condemning the “abhorrent and unlawful behaviour in the strongest possible terms.”
Both the Nigeria international and Wolves shared screenshots of private messages the 25-year-old received after the match, in which he had a first-half penalty saved before Evann Guessand netted an injury-time winner for Palace.
“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,” Arokodare wrote on his Instagram story.
“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 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 also condemned the abuse directed at Mundle following his substitute appearance in the 3-1 home defeat to Fulham.
The club said they were “appalled by the vile” messages and added: “The abhorrent behaviour displayed by multiple individuals is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the club under any circumstances.
“These individuals do not represent Sunderland AFC, our values, or our community – and they are not welcome on Wearside.”
According to the Sunderland Echo, the 22-year-old English forward has since deleted his Instagram account.
In February 2025, while playing in the Championship for the Black Cats, Mundle also shared a discriminatory post he had received on Instagram.
Both Wolves and Sunderland confirmed they are working with the relevant authorities and social media platforms to identify those responsible.
