The growing link between gambling and racist abuse of Premier League players | OneFootball

Racist abuse of Premier League players is increasingly tied to gambling losses, highlighted by messages sent to Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Tolu Arokodare after a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, where his saved penalty was blamed alongside slurs.

According to NY Times, officials at two clubs have observed a recurring pattern this season in which lost bets trigger racist messages. Incidents reported to Kick It Out are up 44 per cent on the same stage last season and are at record levels.

Already 198 reports this season have met the legal hate crime threshold, close to last season’s 212. Mid-season totals are sharply up from 92 at the same stage. In 2023-24 there were 423 incidents, 89 linked to the men’s European Championship in Germany.

Last weekend brought fresh cases, with Wesley Fofana, Hannibal Mejbri, Romaine Mundle and Arokodare all targeted after matches. Their clubs condemned the abuse and promised to pursue criminal action.

A clear legal link emerged last season when Tamworth’s Christopher Wreh shared racist messages referencing a lost bet after facing Tottenham in the FA Cup. Harry Dunbar, 20, admitted sending the abuse, pleaded guilty and received a three-year football banning order running to 2028. It remains the only concluded case directly tying gambling to racist abuse.

Football’s bond with gambling is deep, with 11 of the 20 Premier League clubs still carrying betting brands on shirts, deals that must end before next season. Partnerships can continue on sleeves, training kit and advertising. Expanding markets have added fresh triggers for abuse, and online pile-ons can now escalate within hours.

Source: NY Times