Hannibal Mejbri and Wesley Fofana respond to racist abuse following Chelsea's draw with Burnley - 'Educate yourself and your kids'
Published 22/02/2026 at 10:13 GMT
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Hannibal Mejbri and Wesley Fofana have responded to racist abuse that they received on social media following Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Burnley in the Premier League. The players shared screenshots of the messages they had received on social media, with the respective clubs making official statements in support of the duo.
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Hannibal Mejbri and Wesley Fofana have each responded to racist abuse they received on social media following Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Mejbri played the entirety of the clash, while Fofana was sent off for a second bookable offence before Zian Flemming’s goal cancelled out Joao Pedro’s opener.
Both players shared screenshots of the abusive messages they received alongside their responses.
Mejbri called on people to educate themselves and their children on his Instagram story.
"It's 2026 and there are still people like that," he wrote. "Educate yourself and your kids, please."
Fofana suggested that the beautiful game needs to do more than just launch campaigns, stating that nobody takes any real action.
He 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."
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Burnley said they expect support from Meta, the Premier League and the police in a club statement.
"Everyone at Burnley FC is disgusted by the online racist abuse directed at Hannibal following today’s Premier League fixture," read Burnley’s club statement.
"There is no place for this in our society and we condemn it unreservedly. The club continues to be unequivocal in its stance - we have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination.
"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.
"Hannibal will receive the full backing from the Club and from the Burnley fans who we have already seen condemning the abuse. There is no room for racism."
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Hannibal Mejbri's message on social media
Image credit: Instagram
Chelsea also released a statement in response, insisting that Fofana has the club’s full support.
"Chelsea Football Club is appalled and disgusted by vile online racist abuse directed at Wesley Fofana," read a club statement.
"The targeted racist abuse Wes has been subjected to following today’s Premier League fixture against Burnley is abhorrent and will not be tolerated.
"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. 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.
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Wesley Fofana responds to racist abuse
Image credit: Instagram
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"We will work with the relevant authorities and platforms in identifying the perpetrators and take the strongest possible action."
The point leaves Chelsea in fourth place in the Premier League table, three points clear of Liverpool in sixth, having played a game more.
Burnley are still 19th, eight points behind Nottingham Forest in 17th place.
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