Premier League ‘Appalled’ by Racist Abuse Directed at Chelsea’s Fofana 

Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Leicester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 9, 2025 Chelsea's Wesley Fofana arrives at the stadium before the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Leicester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 9, 2025 Chelsea's Wesley Fofana arrives at the stadium before the match. (Reuters)
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Premier League ‘Appalled’ by Racist Abuse Directed at Chelsea’s Fofana 

Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Leicester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 9, 2025 Chelsea's Wesley Fofana arrives at the stadium before the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Leicester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 9, 2025 Chelsea's Wesley Fofana arrives at the stadium before the match. (Reuters)

The Premier League said it was appalled by the racial abuse suffered by Chelsea center back Wesley Fofana on social media after his side's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday.

The 24-year-old France international posted on his Instagram story the screenshots of racist messages he received and said "stupidity and cruelty can no longer hide".

"The Premier League is appalled by the abuse suffered by Chelsea's Wesley Fofana after their match against Arsenal. We will offer our full support to Wesley and the club," the Premier League said in a statement.

"We work with the social media platforms and the authorities to ensure any individuals found guilty of abuse face the strongest possible consequences."

Fofana said on Monday that social media platforms had to take steps to prevent abuse.

"It's not just football; it's not just a 'game' when some believe that their skin color makes them superior to others." he added. "It's time for things to change, for platforms to take action, and everyone to take responsibility."

Chelsea said they were disgusted by the "recent rise in online racial abuse towards our players" and that the abuse would not be tolerated.



Real Sociedad Appoint Francisco to Replace Alguacil as Manager from Next Season

Real Sociedad's head coach Imanol Alguacil gestures during the Spanish LaLiga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Sociedad, in Vitoria, Spain, 13 April 2025. (EPA)
Real Sociedad's head coach Imanol Alguacil gestures during the Spanish LaLiga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Sociedad, in Vitoria, Spain, 13 April 2025. (EPA)
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Real Sociedad Appoint Francisco to Replace Alguacil as Manager from Next Season

Real Sociedad's head coach Imanol Alguacil gestures during the Spanish LaLiga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Sociedad, in Vitoria, Spain, 13 April 2025. (EPA)
Real Sociedad's head coach Imanol Alguacil gestures during the Spanish LaLiga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Sociedad, in Vitoria, Spain, 13 April 2025. (EPA)

Real Sociedad have appointed their reserve team coach Sergio Francisco as manager from next season to replace Imanol Alguacil who is stepping down at the end of the current campaign, the LaLiga club said on Friday.

Alguacil, in charge since 2018, won the Copa del Rey in 2020 and took Real to European football for five successive seasons. He informed the club on Thursday that he will leave the role at the end of the season, when his contract expires.

The club have again decided to appoint from within, and Francisco, who like Alguacil, began his playing career at Real, has managed their C and B teams since 2017, having previously taken charge of Real Union in Spain's third tier.

Francisco, 45, has signed a deal until 2027, and will take charge of the reserves for the final time on Saturday before dedicating himself to planning for next season.

Real are 10th in the LaLiga standings on 42 points and still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe once again.