Nigeria forward Tolu Arokodare suffers racial abuse after penalty miss in Premier League clash

Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare has been subjected to vile racial abuse on social media following Wolverhampton Wanderers’ narrow 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.

The 23-year-old striker endured a frustrating afternoon after seeing his first-half penalty saved — a moment that ultimately proved decisive as Wolves failed to recover and slipped to defeat. However, the disappointment of the missed spot-kick was compounded by a wave of racist messages sent directly to him online in the aftermath of the match.

Arokodare, alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., shared screenshots of several abusive private messages he received, exposing the disturbing language used by individuals targeting him. The posts reignited concerns over the persistent issue of racism in football, particularly on social media platforms.

“It’s still unbelievable to me that we’re playing in a time where people have so much freedom to communicate such racism without any consequences,” he wrote.

“These individuals should have no place in our game and collectively we have to take action to punish everyone who taints the sport like this, no matter who they are.”

The club moved swiftly to condemn the abuse, reaffirming their support for the player and reiterating a zero-tolerance stance against discrimination. Wolves are expected to work with relevant authorities and social media platforms to identify those responsible.

Arokodare’s missed penalty came during a tightly contested encounter against Crystal Palace F.C., where clear-cut chances were at a premium. His effort from 12 yards was well saved, denying Wolves the opportunity to seize the initiative before Palace eventually secured the decisive goal.

Since arriving at Molineux in the summer, Arokodare has found opportunities limited and goals difficult to come by, scoring twice in league action so far. While adapting to the intensity and physical demands of the Premier League, the young forward has shown flashes of promise but is still striving for consistency in front of goal.

Disturbingly, Arokodare is the third Premier League player to face racial abuse on social media within just 24 hours, a statistic that underscores the ongoing battle against discrimination in the sport. Despite campaigns, awareness drives, and regulatory efforts, online abuse continues to plague footballers across England and beyond.

As the football community rallies around him, Arokodare’s firm response highlights a broader call for accountability and collective action. While results on the pitch can be debated, racism remains an unequivocal red line, one the sport continues to confront both publicly and persistently.