Premier League membership launch racial abuse investigation after controversial choice
A Premier League club have released a statement strongly condemning racist abuse directed at one of their players following their match on Saturday
A general view of Portman Road(Image: ( Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
An investigation has been launched by Ipswich Town alongside the Premier League after Abdul Fatawu was the subject of racist abuse online. Fatawu was sent off during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The winger received a second yellow card midway through the second-half for diving after picking up his first booking for hauling back Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. And in a statement released on Sunday afternoon, Ipswich said Fatawu was the target of racial abuse on social media following his dismissal.
“Ipswich Town Football Club is aware of online racist abuse directed at Abdul Fatawu via social media,” a statement from the Portman Road club read. “The club finds any form of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable and has no place in football.
Abdul Fatawu heads down the tunnel after being sent off during Ipswich Town’s defeat to Everton(Image: (Molly Darlington/Getty Images))
“We are investigating this incident alongside the Premier League and the relevant authorities. We will continue to offer Abdul our full support.”
In a statement released shortly after Ipswich’s, the Premier League said: “The Premier League stands with Abdul Fatawu and Ipswich Town following the unacceptable abuse he has received online, and we have offered our full support to the player and club.
“We are appalled by the discrimination players face online and it has no place in football or wider society. We will continue working with clubs, authorities, law enforcement and social media companies to address this issue, support investigations and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Ipswich Town’s Abdul Fatawu reacts after being shown a red card during his side’s defeat to Everton(Image: (Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images))
“Those found guilty of discriminatory abuse should expect the strongest possible sanctions, including club bans and legal prosecution.”
Asked about the sending off following Saturday’s game, Tractor Boys boss Gary O’Neil felt referee Stuart Attwell did not need to show a yellow card but admitted Fatawu needed to be more aware of giving him a decision to make.
“I’ve seen them given, I’ve seen them not given. I didn’t think it was a blatant one,” he said. “There was some contact, Abdul was anticipating contact and, in truth, moves his leg towards it a bit but I felt there didn’t need to be a desperate need for the referee to get involved.
“If we had just played on I don’t think there would have been too many complaints. I’ve spoken to him about being a bit more experienced, a bit more wise in those situations when he is on a yellow card – even giving the ref a decision to make comes with risk.”
