The French defender for Chelsea, Wesley Fofana, expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the ongoing issue of racism in football, pointing out that the anti-racism campaigns remain superficial without real deterrent measures.

Fofana posted an emotional message on his Instagram account, saying: "It's 2026, and the situation remains the same, nothing changes. These people are never punished. You launch massive campaigns against racism, but no one actually does anything."

Fofana's outcry came after he was subjected to a barrage of racial abuse online following Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Burnley, a match in which he was sent off in the final minutes.

The player shared samples of the abusive messages he received, in a move aimed at revealing the extent of the suffering players face behind the screens despite technological advancements and announced laws.

Fofana was not the only victim that evening, as the Tunisian international Hannibal Mejbri, a midfielder for Burnley, was subjected to similar abuse. This dual attack prompted Burnley to issue an official statement expressing its "disgust" at these actions, affirming that it will not tolerate any form of discrimination, and that it has already begun coordinating with security authorities and Meta to track down those responsible for these accounts.

This incident once again highlights the gap between the official statements of football associations and the reality experienced by the players. Fofana believes that the lack of strict penalties is the main reason behind the audacity of the offenders.

It is noted that this is not the first time Fofana has faced such situations, which puts social media platforms and responsible authorities under increasing pressure to take executive steps beyond mere "awareness campaigns."