Sunderland condemn racist abuse of Brobbey

Sunderland AFC have strongly condemned racist abuse directed at forward Brian Brobbey on social media following Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur, describing the incident as part of the “ongoing and unacceptable frequency of this behaviour” in football.

The club confirmed that the abuse has been formally reported to the Premier League, relevant social media platforms, and law enforcement agencies, adding that they expect swift and decisive action against those responsible.

Brobbey’s case adds to a growing list of Premier League players subjected to racist and discriminatory abuse online this season. Earlier incidents included four players targeted over a single weekend in February, among them Sunderland teammate Romaine Mundle. The repeated targeting has intensified concerns about the persistence of racism in both digital spaces and stadium environments.

The issue has also drawn attention from law enforcement. Earlier this month, a man was arrested over alleged racist abuse directed at Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida during a match against Newcastle United in March. That match was briefly paused under the Premier League’s anti-discrimination protocol, highlighting the seriousness with which such incidents are treated.

In a strongly worded statement, Sunderland reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Brobbey and all affected players:

“We stand firmly with Brian and offer him our full and unwavering support. This is not an isolated incident. Recent abuse directed at Romaine Mundle and Lutsharel Geertruida highlights the ongoing and unacceptable frequency of this behaviour, both inside stadiums and online. Racism is abhorrent and has no place in our game or in society, and we will continue to call it out clearly and unapologetically every time it occurs. Football must be a safe and inclusive environment for all - without exception.”

The Premier League also issued a strong response, expressing outrage at the continued discrimination faced by players and reaffirming its commitment to combating abuse in collaboration with clubs, authorities, and technology platforms.

“We are disgusted by the ongoing discrimination players are facing on social media and are committed to working with clubs, authorities, law enforcement and social media companies to address this issue,” the league said, adding that offenders face severe consequences including custodial sentences, football banning orders, and criminal records.

On the pitch, Brobbey was involved in a second-half incident during the match at the Stadium of Light when he nudged Tottenham defender Cristian Romero into his own goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky, an incident that resulted in Romero leaving the field injured and in tears.

The case comes amid broader concerns about rising abuse in football. The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) is currently investigating multiple incidents involving players including Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana, and Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare. Anti-discrimination body Kick It Out has also reported that online abuse levels have reached record highs, with a significant year-on-year increase.

According to UKFPU deputy director Mike Ankers, reports of abuse have risen by approximately 115%, reflecting a sharp escalation in reported discrimination cases. A wider BBC investigation previously revealed that over 2,000 abusive posts—including threats of violence—were directed at football figures over a single weekend across the Premier League and Women’s Super League.

The problem has also extended into stadium environments. The opening Premier League fixture between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily halted after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a spectator at Anfield.

Football authorities, clubs, and advocacy groups continue to stress that urgent collective action is required to combat racism both online and in stadiums, as the sport grapples with an intensifying discrimination crisis.