Tamworth FC striker ‘not surprised’ to receive vile racist message after Tottenham FA Cup match | UK News

A Tamworth FC footballer has mentioned he’s “shocked… however not stunned” to obtain racist abuse after his workforce misplaced to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Chris Wreh, 28, mentioned in a put up on X: “After an incredible day at this time, that is the very last thing I anticipated to see once I opened Instagram. By no means the much less, thanks for all of the help at this time. Followers have been unreal.”

He included a screenshot of an Instagram message he acquired with a number of racist insults after Tamworth misplaced 3-0 to Tottenham within the third spherical FA Cup tie on the Lamb Floor.

Mr Wreh advised Sky Information that he was “shocked and upset greater than something”.

“However I wasn’t overly stunned by it because it [is] one thing that we see frequently when black gamers do one thing ‘incorrect’.

“I am a powerful character and take a look at to not let issues trouble me as a result of there are such a lot of issues which can be incorrect on the earth and so many individuals struggling nevertheless it’s nonetheless not proper or good.

“But it surely’s good to name individuals out in order that it could clearly cease it taking place once more and likewise, it reveals their character and folks can now make an actual judgement of them.”

Mr Wreh added that he believed racism in soccer “by no means appears to go away for those who do unhealthy [or] do not win”.

He mentioned: “For instance on my subject, if we had gained or if I scored and he [the sender of the message] did not lose his wager, I’d not have been racially abused like that, however is that proper? Completely not.

“But it surely’s unhappy as a result of it is the world we dwell in. Or like on an even bigger scale the likes of Saka, Sancho, who have been cherished one minute and hated the subsequent – merely due to the color of our pores and skin,” he mentioned.

The Instagram account that the message is purported to come back from seems to have been deleted.

Mr Wreh mentioned the Metropolitan Police contacted him after he posted on X, whereas Staffordshire Police says it’s liaising with Tamworth FC.

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In an announcement to Sky Information, the Staffordshire drive mentioned: “We’re conscious of a social media message involving racist abuse that was despatched on-line to a participant following the FA Cup match between Tamworth and Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.

“Officers are persevering with to liaise with Tamworth Soccer Membership and nationwide policing companions as a part of their preliminary enquiries and plans to help the sufferer shifting ahead.

“Racist abuse won’t ever be tolerated and officers will totally examine any studies as robustly as potential to make sure these accountable are handled accordingly.”

Sky Information has contacted Meta, which owns Instagram, and Tamworth FC for remark.

Mr Wreh, 28, joined Nationwide League facet Tamworth in 2023. The striker has additionally performed for Hartlepool United, Southend United and Banbury United.

Mr Wreh’s father Christopher, 49, was a part of the Arsenal facet that gained the Premier League and FA Cup double in the course of the 1997-98 season. The ex-striker additionally gained 36 caps for Liberia.

Final month, England and Manchester Metropolis participant Kyle Walker revealed he suffered “vile, racist and threatening” abuse on social media after a Champions League recreation towards Juventus.