Hannibal Mejbri and Wesley Fofana speak out after being sent racist abuse on social media after the Chelsea v Burnley draw.
Fofana, who was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, posted several screenshots of private messages he received on Instagram following the game.
He said: “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.”
Hannibal Mejbri also took to his socials, uploading an image of an offensive message on Instagram. He wrote: “It’s 2026 and there are still people like that. Educate yourself and your kids, please.”
Burnley statement: “Everyone at Burnley FC is disgusted by the online racist abuse directed at Hannibal following today’s Premier League fixture.
“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.”
Chelsea statement: “Chelsea Football Club is appalled and disgusted by vile online racist abuse directed at Wesley Fofana.
“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. We will work with the relevant authorities and platforms in identifying the perpetrators and take the strongest possible action.”
The Premier League condemned the abuse and said “any individuals identified and found guilty of discrimination will face the strongest possible consequences, including club bans and legal prosecution”.
The game itself saw Chelsea make it 17 points dropped from winning positions in the Premier League this season after Zian Flemming’s 93rd-minute header gave Burnley a vital point. Wesley Fofana was also sent off.
Burnley manager Scott Parker speaking to BBC Sport: “A little bit frustrated but overall I can’t be anything but proud of the team. Overall our performance was worthy of the point we gained – and maybe it could have been three.
“In the first half I felt we were getting into the game, second half you play a quality side with 10 men and sometimes that quality can still prove problematic. But our desire and intent was first class.”
On Zian Flemming’s goal from James Ward-Prowse’s corner: “Incredible header. A set-piece straight off the training ground in terms of how we free up that space. James is on the money every time.”
On the relegation battle: “We were at fault last weekend for bringing the noise back on us [in exiting the FA Cup to League One Mansfield].
“At times with the level we have come up against we have fallen short. What we have never fallen short on is togetherness, commitment and resilience. The resilience of the group to pick themselves up and keep doing what they do… this team has serious resilience and hopefully we’re still in this.”
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior speaking to BBC Sport: “We should have won the game. We should have been more ruthless. There was a lack of penetration in the first half, second half we had more moments without the right final pass or finish.”
On Chelsea’s latest red card this season: “I can only speak on my time with the group so far. Up until today our disciplinary record has been good. It is something for me to solve but I thought it was an unfortunate red card. Even so, you have to see the game out.
“The best teams put the opposition to bed. The best teams are ruthless when they have the upper-hand. If you are not ruthless you have to keep a clean sheet. There are not enough clean sheets.
“The four points we have dropped in our last two games shouldn’t have happened. We still should win this game and that is something I need to address very quickly.”
Burnley goalscorer Zian Flemming speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s a really good result and you would take it before the game. But with the game ending against 10 men I feel some disappointment now.
“I think we can be proud of ourselves. The team showed great resilience, we stayed in the game until the very end and it says something that I am here disappointed with only a point.
“It sounds weird that I am disappointed with a point at Chelsea, but we need wins. As soon as we got to 1-1 we decided to go all-in for the three points. To get so close, we can still be proud, but it is a bit of mixed feelings.”
On their fight to avoid relegation: “Everyone knows that the gap is massive if you look at the table. But of course we can [stay up]. It is not going to be easy, we know we need a miracle or something extraordinary.
“We are trying now to put in an extraordinary input to try and get and extraordinary outcome.”
On manager Scott Parker: “He is on the front line and us players are right behind him. He will never give up and that is something he tells us and brings to us as people.”
Flemming speaking to BBC Sport: “The longer you stay in the game, the more the confidence grows. The red card is a significant moment because at that moment we could really attack and put them under pressure. We did that really well.”
On his goal from James Ward-Prowse’s corner: “I can’t remember it that well to be honest. He [Ward-Prowse] hasn’t been here that long but everyone knows his quality. He can put the ball exactly where we want it and he put it right on my head.
“The frustrating part of the day is that it maybe should have been three points. I don’t want to be hard on Jacob [Bruun Larsen] but when you feel so close and the day can be so much better, it gives me a bit of mixed feelings.”
On the fight for survival: “The situation is what it is. We have 11 games left and at this point you are probably where you deserve to be in the table. It is fine margins.
“Up until now we have fallen short but it’s not over until it’s over. Even though the gap is big, as long as it’s possible we go for, hopefully, this beautiful football story that everyone in Burnley will remember.”
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