Arokodare Calls for Tougher Sanctions on Online Racist Trolls
Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare has spoken out after being subjected to vile racist abuse online, describing the perpetrators as a ‘stain’ on football and calling for tougher action against offenders.
The Nigerian forward was targeted with slurs including “monkey” and the N-word on Instagram following Sunday’s 1–0 defeat to Crystal Palace, in which he missed a first-half penalty.
Arokodare, 25, shared some of the messages alongside Wolves, who condemned the abuse and reported it to authorities and the Premier League.
In his own response, the striker said: ‘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.
‘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.’
The ten-cap Nigeria international joined Wolves from Belgian side Genk last September in a £24 million move and has scored five goals in 28 appearances across all competitions this season.
His comments come amid a wider spate of racist abuse in the Premier League, with Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri also targeted online after their sides’ 1–1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
