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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)
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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.

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Algeria’s Boxing Champion Khelif Targets Second Olympic Gold in LA

Imane Khelif. (AFP)
Imane Khelif. (AFP)
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Algeria’s Boxing Champion Khelif Targets Second Olympic Gold in LA

Imane Khelif. (AFP)
Imane Khelif. (AFP)

Algeria's Imane Khelif, who won Paris Olympics boxing gold amid a gender-eligibility row, is determined to defend her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Games and says she will not be intimidated by US President Donald Trump.

Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from female sports in the United States last month and called Khelif "a male boxer" in his speech after signing the order.

"I will give you a straightforward answer, I am not transgender," she told ITV in an interview.

"This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me."

Khelif said she dreamed of retaining her title in California.

"Second gold medal, of course. In America, Los Angeles ... I (will) defend with everything this gold medal," she said.

"I believe that if the old Imane operated at 50% of her potential, then the Imane Khalif of today is even more motivated and determined."

Khelif was disqualified by the International Boxing Association at the 2023 world championships after a test that the body said rendered her ineligible to fight as a woman on the grounds of gender.

The IBA lost its Olympic recognition over governance issues, however, and the International Olympic Committee cleared Khelif to compete in Paris, aggressively defending its position after heavy criticism.

A rival body to the IBA, World Boxing, was given provisional recognition as the international governing body of the sport last month.

The recommendation still requires final approval by the IOC at its session in Greece and outgoing President Thomas Bach said he was confident the session would approve it.

"At this point, I can say that the IBA is a thing of the past," Khelif said. "As we say in Algeria, those who have nothing to hide should have no fear."

"I hope the next president of the IOC leads with true sportsmanship, stays committed to Olympic principles, and upholds the values of fair play," she said.