
Newcastle United have contacted the police after midfielder Joe Willock became the target of “appalling” racist abuse on social media, following the club’s 2-1 defeat against Fulham at St James’ Park on Saturday. Willock, who was a second-half substitute in the match, faced disturbing online attacks after missing a crucial opportunity to put Newcastle ahead before Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz scored late to seal the victory.
This incident has once again brought the issue of online racism in football to the forefront, highlighting the ongoing challenges players face in dealing with hate and discrimination on social media platforms. The abuse Willock received has led to strong condemnation from Newcastle United, who have vowed to take action to support the player and fight against such behaviour.
Joe Willock Faces ‘Appalling’ Racist Abuse on Instagram
After the match on Saturday, Joe Willock shared screenshots of the racist abuse he received on Instagram. This abuse came in the wake of the loss to Fulham, in which Willock had been a substitute and missed a chance to give Newcastle a potential lead. The cruel messages that followed reflected the disturbing trend of online hate aimed at footballers, particularly after a disappointing result.
In response to the abuse, Newcastle United released a statement strongly condemning the racist attacks aimed at Willock. The club expressed their deep concern and anger over the incident, calling for social media platforms to take stronger action against this kind of discriminatory behaviour. “Newcastle United strongly condemns the appalling racist abuse received by Joe Willock on Instagram on Saturday evening. There is no room for racism anywhere,” the statement read.
The club also expressed their full support for Willock, ensuring that he has the necessary resources to deal with the fallout from the abuse. They made it clear that they will continue to prioritize the welfare of their players, staff, and supporters in the face of such disturbing incidents. Additionally, Newcastle United has reported the abuse to Meta, the parent company of Instagram, and urged social media companies to do more to prevent this kind of hate from proliferating on their platforms.
Newcastle United’s Strong Response to the Abuse
In their official statement, Newcastle United emphasized the need for immediate and decisive action to prevent online racism. The club announced that they had reported the abusive messages to both Instagram and the police. This dual approach demonstrates the seriousness with which the club is handling the situation, as they work to hold the individuals responsible accountable for their actions.
Newcastle United’s commitment to supporting Willock and taking action against those responsible for the abuse reflects their ongoing stance against racism in football. The club’s management has made it clear that they are dedicated to combating all forms of discrimination and will continue to work closely with authorities and social media platforms to address this issue.
“Joe has been given the club’s full support, and we will continue to do all we can to ensure the welfare of our players, staff, and supporters,” the statement continued. “The club has reported the abuse to Meta, the owners of Instagram, and urges all social media companies to do more to eradicate this behaviour from their platforms.”
Furthermore, Newcastle United has vowed to assist the police in any way necessary to ensure the individuals behind the racist messages are identified and face the consequences of their actions. The club’s support for Willock in this situation serves as a powerful statement that they will not tolerate racism, both on and off the field.
Social Media Companies Urged to Do More to Tackle Online Racism
One of the central issues raised by the abuse directed at Joe Willock is the responsibility of social media companies to take stronger action against racist behaviour on their platforms. Newcastle United has called on Meta and other social media giants to implement more effective measures to prevent users from engaging in harmful, discriminatory conduct.
Despite social media companies’ efforts to combat online hate, incidents like the one Willock experienced highlight that much more needs to be done to create safer online environments for athletes and public figures. As social media becomes an increasingly prominent part of our daily lives, it is essential that these platforms take a more active role in addressing hate speech and ensuring that users who engage in racism or abuse face swift consequences.
Newcastle United’s calls for change in how social media companies handle online racism are part of a broader movement within football and other sports. Many players, including Willock, have faced similar abuse in recent years, which has prompted calls for stronger regulations and more robust reporting mechanisms to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
Joe Willock Receives Support from Teammates and the Football Community
In the aftermath of the abuse, Joe Willock has received an outpouring of support from his teammates and the wider football community. His Newcastle teammate Alexander Isak was quick to show solidarity with Willock, posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, saying: “We win together, we lose together! Always with you brother Joe Willock. There’s no room for racism.” Isak’s message reflected the unity within the team and the collective stance against racism in football.
This support from his teammates and the football community at large is vital for Willock as he navigates the emotional toll of the racist abuse. While the online attacks are deeply hurtful, the solidarity shown by his colleagues is a reminder that football stands united against all forms of discrimination.
Racism in football is not a new issue, and players like Willock have consistently spoken out against the abuse they face both on and off the pitch. However, the outpouring of support from teammates, as well as the club’s commitment to action, shows that the football world is increasingly uniting in the fight against racism and hate.
The Broader Issue of Racism in Football
The incident involving Joe Willock is part of a broader issue of racism in football that continues to affect players at all levels of the game. High-profile cases of racial abuse have become more visible in recent years, with players from diverse backgrounds regularly targeted by online trolls and discriminatory comments. While the authorities and football organizations have made strides in addressing the issue, incidents like this show that there is still much work to be done.
The fact that Willock’s abuse followed a disappointing result for Newcastle highlights a disturbing trend where players are often targeted after a loss or a mistake. This toxic behaviour is fueled by online anonymity and a lack of accountability, which allows abusers to target players without fear of punishment.
As football continues to grow in popularity, the responsibility to protect players from online racism falls not only on the clubs and authorities but also on social media companies. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook must continue to improve their tools for reporting and combating hate speech, ensuring that players like Willock are not subjected to harmful, racist abuse.
Police Investigation into Online Abuse

In addition to the club’s response, the police have been involved in investigating the racist abuse directed at Joe Willock. Newcastle United confirmed that they had reported the incident to the police, and the club will support the strongest possible legal action against the individuals responsible for the abuse.
This investigation into Willock’s case follows similar efforts from law enforcement in recent weeks. Just a week before, police began an investigation into the “threats and abuse” aimed at referee Michael Oliver following his controversial decision to send off Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly in their match against Wolves. Police have also looked into abuse received by the wife of Arsenal striker Kai Havertz, who was targeted following the Gunners’ FA Cup loss to Manchester United.
These investigations demonstrate that online abuse is increasingly being taken seriously by the authorities, and legal action is becoming more common in cases of racial harassment.
Conclusion: A Call for Action Against Online Racism
The racist abuse faced by Joe Willock serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges that football players and other public figures face in dealing with discrimination on social media. While Willock’s bravery in sharing his experience has brought attention to the issue, it is clear that more must be done to eradicate online racism from the football world.
Newcastle United’s strong stance against racism, their support for Willock, and their calls for greater action from social media companies reflect the urgency of tackling this problem. The police investigation also highlights that steps are being taken to hold abusers accountable. However, the fight against online racism is far from over, and continued efforts are needed to ensure that football can be a space where players of all backgrounds are respected and protected from abuse.