The Tunisian Football Federation supports Hannibal Mejbri against racism in the English Premier League
The Tunisian Football Federation expressed its full solidarity and support for national team star Hannibal Mejbri , following a wave of abhorrent racist abuse he endured on social media. These deplorable attacks came after the player's participation with his club, Burnley, in a heated match against Chelsea in the English Premier League, an incident that has reignited the sensitive issue of racism in European football.
Details of the incident and the official stance
In an official statement released on Sunday, the Tunisian Football Federation expressed its deep appreciation for the high level of sportsmanship and responsibility shown by Mejbri in dealing with these transgressions. The statement indicated that the Federation had contacted the player directly to boost his morale and assure him of its support during this difficult time. The statement read: “We commend Burnley Football Club for its responsible stance in supporting the player, and we call on all relevant parties to intensify their efforts to combat these unacceptable behaviors, work to reduce them, and prevent their recurrence in order to preserve the noble values upon which sport is founded.”.
Match context and accompanying events
Mejbri featured in the match at Stamford Bridge, which ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw between relegation-threatened Burnley and their hosts, Chelsea. Despite a strong performance and Burnley's equalizer in stoppage time, the atmosphere soured after the final whistle. Mejbri, along with Chelsea's French defender Wesley Fofana, revealed that they had received abusive messages via private messages on Instagram.
Al-Majbri commented bitterly on one of the messages, saying, “People like this still exist among us in 2026. Please educate your children and yourselves,” indicating the persistence of such mindsets despite the passage of time. For his part, Fofana wrote, “Nothing has changed in 2026, and the situation will remain the same as long as people continue to get away with it.”.
The phenomenon of racism and the challenges of the Premier League
This incident once again highlights the significant challenges facing the Premier League in its fight against racism. Despite ongoing campaigns like "No Room For Racism" and the strict measures taken by clubs, the online space remains a haven for abusers. These incidents are putting increasing pressure on social media companies, particularly Meta, to develop more effective mechanisms for detecting and blocking hate speech before it reaches players.
Reactions and legal actions
Burnley Football Club did not remain silent, strongly condemning the abuse and reaffirming its strict zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination. The club announced that it had reported the incident to Meta, the Premier League, and the police to identify the perpetrators. Chelsea Football Club also condemned the abuse suffered by its player, Fofana, describing it as "unacceptable and contrary to the values of football." It is worth noting that such legal and official actions are a vital part of international efforts to protect professional players from psychological pressures that can affect their careers and performance on the pitch.
