Super Eagles and Fulham Football Club have strongly condemned the wave of racist and homophobic abuse directed at Calvin Bassey following his goal in Fulham’s FA Cup victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
The Nigeria international scored to give his side the lead at Old Trafford before Fulham won on penalties to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Shortly after the match, Bassey was subjected to a barrage of offensive messages on social media, prompting swift reactions from both his club and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Super Eagles declared their support for Bassey and denounced all forms of discrimination.
“The NFF stands firmly against all forms of discrimination, including racial abuse, and fully supports @CalvinBassey in the face of these unacceptable actions. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all players,” the statement read.
Fulham, in its response, expressed outrage over the incident, describing the abuse as “abhorrent behaviour which has no place in football or society.” The club confirmed it is working with the relevant authorities to identify the perpetrators and ensure they face the “strongest form of action.”
The Premier League also issued a statement, offering its support to Bassey and pledging to cooperate with social media companies and law enforcement agencies to combat online abuse.
“We will offer our full support to Calvin and the club. We work with social media companies and authorities to help ensure any individuals found guilty of discrimination face the strongest possible consequences,” the league’s statement said.
This incident is the latest in a series of racial abuse cases targeting footballers in England.
Recently, Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Khadija Shaw were also subjected to racist remarks following their respective matches in the Champions League and the Women’s Super League.
The recurrence of such incidents has reignited calls for stricter regulations on social media platforms to curb online hate speech.
Fulham emphasised its commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination, reiterating its dedication to “fostering an environment of respect and inclusion.”
The club’s firm stance has been widely supported by fans and anti-racism organizations who have urged authorities to expedite investigations and implement tougher penalties for offenders.
As Fulham prepares to host Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 29, the incident has cast a shadow over the club’s triumph, raising fresh concerns about the effectiveness of existing measures to protect players from online abuse.
