Finance
Soccer-Chelsea, Burnley condemn racist abuse of Fofana, Mejbri
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 22, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 22, 2026
Quick Summary
After Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Burnley at Stamford Bridge, Wesley Fofana and Hannibal Mejbri reported racist abuse on Instagram. Both clubs condemned the attacks and vowed to work with authorities and platforms.
Chelsea and Burnley Denounce Racist Abuse Targeting Fofana, Mejbri
Clubs Condemn Online Racist Abuse and Outline Next Steps
Feb 22 (Reuters) - Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri said they were racially abused on social media following their sides’ 1-1 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Players' Social Media Posts
Fofana, who was sent off in the 72nd minute after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on James Ward-Prowse, shared screenshots of messages he received on Instagram after the match.
"2026, it’s still the same thing, nothing changes," the Frenchman wrote on Instagram. "These people are never punished. You create big campaigns against racism, but nobody actually does anything."
Chelsea's Official Statement
Chelsea condemned the abuse on their official website.
"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," they said in a statement.
"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."
Mejbri, who was fouled for the first of the two yellow cards that led to Fofana’s dismissal, also posted the messages he received on social media.
"Educate yourself and your kids," he wrote in an Instagram story.
Burnley's Official Statement
Burnley backed the Tunisian in a statement, saying there was no space for racism at the club.
"There is no place for this in our society and we condemn it unreservedly," they said on their website.
Zero-Tolerance Policies Reiterated
"The club continues to be unequivocal in its stance – we have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination.
Actions with Meta, Premier League, and Police
"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."
Match Context and Standings Note
The draw moved Chelsea into fourth place on goal difference ahead of Michael Carrick’s Manchester United, who face Everton on Monday and could reclaim the position with a win.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Key Takeaways
- •Wesley Fofana and Hannibal Mejbri reported racist abuse on Instagram after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.
- •Chelsea and Burnley issued firm statements condemning racism and pledged to work with authorities and Meta.
- •Fofana received a second yellow card in the 72nd minute, a flashpoint preceding the online abuse.
- •The incident underscores persistent online racism in football despite ongoing anti-racism campaigns.
- •The result impacted the top-four picture, with Chelsea’s position closely contested.
Frequently Asked Questions about Soccer-Chelsea, Burnley condemn racist abuse of Fofana, Mejbri
1What is the main topic?
Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri reported racist abuse on Instagram following a 1-1 Premier League draw. Both clubs condemned the behavior and pledged cooperation with authorities.
2Which players were targeted and how did the clubs respond?
Wesley Fofana and Hannibal Mejbri shared examples of the abuse they received online. Chelsea and Burnley issued zero-tolerance statements and said they will work with the Premier League, police, and Meta.
3What happened in the match?
Chelsea drew 1-1 with Burnley at Stamford Bridge. Wesley Fofana was sent off in the 72nd minute after a second yellow card, and the result influenced a tightly contested top-four race.
