Fulham, Premier League Condemn Racists Abuse of Calvin Bassey 

Duro Ikhazuagbe  with agency report

English Premier League club, Fulham, have condemned the “abhorrent” racist and homophobic online abuse directed at Nigerian defender, Calvin Bassey,  following Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shootout win at Manchester United.

 The Super Eagles defender laid the foundation for Fulham’s FA Cup progress at the expense of Manchester United when he scored the opening goal at Old Trafford.

But minutes after the London club won the ensuing penalty shootouts 4-2 after regulation and extra time deadlocked 1-1, Bassey was the target of racists abuse on social media.

In an official statement issued by Fulham yesterday, the Premier League club said: “ We strongly condemn this abhorrent behaviour which has no place in football or society.

“Such actions are entirely unacceptable, and we stand in full support of Calvin Bassey, who will continue to receive our full backing.

“We will do everything in our power to work with the relevant authorities in identifying the perpetrators of these vile messages and taking the strongest form of action against them,” conclude Fulham.

Similarly, the Premier League said in a statement that  it is “appalled by the abuse” and that it will offer “our full support to Calvin and the club”.

It added: “We work with social media companies and authorities to help ensure any individuals found guilty of discrimination face the strongest possible consequences.”

Bassey’s online abuse follows recent cases involving Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, England defender Kyle Walker, Newcastle United’s Joe Willock and Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw.

In a recent interview with BBC Sport, chief executive of anti-discrimination body Kick It Out (KIO), Samuel Okafor, said the level of abuse in English football had 

“reached crisis point”.

Bassey’s goal was cancelled out in the second half by Bruno Fernandes, with the game staying level at 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes and extra time.

Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee missed for United in the shootout to send the Cottagers into the quarter-finals, where they will host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.