By Daily Sports on July 13, 2020
A 12-year-old boy has been arrested by police investigating racist messages sent to Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha on social media.
Zaha revealed he had received several abusive messages on social media before Sunday's trip to Aston Villa, a game they lost 2-0.
His manager Roy Hodgson called the abuse “cowardly and despicable”.
The Premier League called the abuse of the 27-year-old Ivory Coast winger “completely unacceptable”.
West Midlands Police tweeted Zaha to say they would look into the abuse and hours later confirmed an arrest.
“We were alerted to a series of racist messages sent to a footballer today and after looking into them and conducting checks, we have arrested a boy,” read a WM Police tweet.
“The 12-year-old from Solihull has been taken to custody. Thanks to everyone who raised it. Racism won’t be tolerated.”
Speaking to Sky Sports before the arrest, Hodgson added: “It’s been highlighted at the moment anyway with the Black Lives Matter movement and everyone seems to be making such an effort to eradicate this behaviour.
“It is very sad that, on the day of a game, a player wakes up to this cowardly and despicable abuse. It’s right Wilf has made people aware of it and I don’t think this is something you should keep quiet about.
“He wants to put off one of our best players from playing well today, but to do it in the way he has chosen is totally inexcusable.”
The Premier League said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and the Premier League stands alongside Wilfried Zaha in opposing this, and discrimination in any form.
“We will continue to support players, managers, coaches and their family members who receive serious discriminatory online abuse.”
Players in England’s top flight have been kneeling in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before every match since the season restarted in June.
•PHOTO: Wilfried Zaha
Source Daily Sports
Posted July 13, 2020
You may also like...
Pogba Planning Real Madrid Bosman Move
Thomas Tuchel says he understands criticism of Chelsea...
Man City's Dias ruled out for 'three or...
Sand Eagles lose World Cup opener to Italy...
Swans stun Gunners, Reds cruise
Andy Murray Beaten By Andrey Rublev
Aribo ready to fight for EPL survival
Adesanya vows to make UFC return after third straight loss
We Apologize To Our Father Dr Peter Odili On Behalf Of His Children Who Have Gone Astray – Edison Ehie
Aston Villa closing in on Rashford loan deal
Adesanya aims for comeback as UFC lands in Saudi
Alonso delighted with Boniface stay
EPL: Wood’s hat-trick fires Nottingham Forest to 7-0 thrashing of Brighton
PDP Governors Announce Date For Party’s NEC Meeting
PDP governors back Appeal Court verdict, endorse Ude Okoye as national secretary
Everton plot £33m Awoniyi move
Barcelona’s Pedri extends contract to 2030
Boniface rejoins Leverkusen training after failed Saudi transfer
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (55,270 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,426 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,456 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,101 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,051 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,039 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,849 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,413 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,501 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,150 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,591 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,020 views)