Chelsea have condemned the "abhorrent" racist abuse directed at defender Wesley Fofana following Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old was handed his 14th league start of the season and played for 86 minutes at the Emirates Stadium where the Blues fell to a narrow London-derby defeat courtesy of a first-half goal from Mikel Merino.
Fofana was a topic of discussion during the match as Arsenal felt that the Frenchman was fortunate to remain on the pitch for as long as he did after committing several fouls.
After the game, Fofana took to Instagram to share screenshots of six racist messages sent to him, and Chelsea have since responded with a strongly-worded statement.
"Chelsea Football Club is appalled and disgusted by the recent rise in online racial abuse towards our players," a statement released on their official website read.
"The abuse Wes Fofana has been subjected to following yesterday's fixture is abhorrent and will not be tolerated.
"Wes and all our players have our full support. We will work with the relevant authorities in identifying the perpetrators and take the strongest possible action."
According to BBC Sport, Chelsea will contact Instagram about the posts sent to Fofana.
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Fofana: "It's time for things to change"
Fofana has released a statement of his own on Instagram, which read: "2025, stupidity and cruelty can no longer hide. It's not just football; it's not just a 'game' when some believe that their skin colour makes them superior to others."
"It's time for things to change, for platforms to take action, and everyone to take responsibility."
Meanwhile, the Premier League have said in a statement that they are "appalled" by the abuse and have offered their support to Fofana and Chelsea.
"We work with the social media platforms and the authorities to ensure any individuals found guilty of abuse face the strongest possible consequences," a statement read.
"Football is for everyone and there is no place for discrimination in our game, or wider society."
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The online abuse aimed at Fofana follows recent cases involving Fulham's Calvin Bassey, Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure, England's Kyle Walker - on loan at AC Milan from Manchester City - Newcastle United's Joe Willock and Man City Women's striker Khadija Shaw.
It also comes eight months after Fofana found himself unwillingly embroiled in a racism scandal with Chelsea teammate Enzo Fernandez, who made 'racist and discriminatory remarks' about the French national team.
Fernandez has since apologised after he was seen in a video that emerged online of him chanting with Argentine teammates about French players with African heritage during an international break last July.
Chelsea are next in action after this month's international break when they face Tottenham Hotspur in another Premier League London derby at Stamford Bridge on April 3.
Oliver Thomas
