Two players from Luton Town and Derby County have been sent racist messages within the last week, joining many top flight footballers in receiving the same.
Derby County midfielder Duane Holmes called out the racist abuse which he discovered on social media following Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Stoke City on Wednesday.
In the tweet, which has since been deleted, Holmes posted a screenshot of racist abuse sent to him after he made jokes over Forest’s shock defeat to Stoke that saw them fall out of the play-off places in a dramatic finale to the Championship.
In his response, Holmes called on supporters to “keep the jokes civil” in the rivalry between the clubs.
The 25-year-old wrote: “Can’t even joke on Twitter without being called a ‘shit n****r’. I’m all for the banter, we have received a lot of it in my short time at Derby so far and I understand the rivalry between the two clubs, but please just keep the jokes civil. Ridiculous, man.”
Can’t even joke on twitter without being called a “shit n****r”. I’m all for the banter, we have received a lot of it in my short time at derby so far and I understand the rivalry between the two clubs but please just keep the jokes civil. Ridiculous man.
— Duane Holmes (@DuaneHolmes) July 23, 2020
It is unfortunately not the first time that the playerd has been subjected to racist language online.
Last August, Nottinghamshire Police arrested a man over alleged racially-aggravated harassment of the United States of America international.
Forest also banned a supporter from the City Ground, saying in a statement that they “denounced the conduct of the individual responsible in the strongest possible terms”.
A separate incident saw Hatters defender Peter Kioso racially abused on social media by a Hartlepool United supporter after celebrating Luton’s great escape.
He was doing a live video, however as he danced, a shocking comment popped up stating that he looked like a monkey.
Peter said in a tweet: “In 2020 seriously come on, a fan that used to sing my name wants to be doing this ??♂️ @Official_HUFC
“This happened on Wednesday night after the boys and I were celebrating such a big thing that we did and I was not going to let that ruin the moment but now that everything has calmed down I feel like I shed light on it to let everyone know how things still are in 2020!!”
In 2020 seriously come on, a fan that used to sing my name wants to be doing this??♂️ @Official_HUFC pic.twitter.com/gtUpzYOhVs
— PK (@P_kioso31) July 24, 2020
LUTON CLUB STATEMENT:
“All at Luton Town are appalled that discriminatory comments can be directed towards anyone in this day and age, but we are especially upset for one of our young players, Peter Kioso, who has been subject to shameful abuse this week – a week when he has made his club and league debut and rightly celebrated his role in helping us survive in the Championship.
“As a club and a town which celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion, we firmly stand behind Peter and all of our minority players and staff regardless of their skin tone, ethnicity or religion.
“We have been helping the police with enquiries to bring the perpetrator of this mindless act to account.
“Racism is unacceptable in person or via any media channel and we believe it is high time that there is a review of how social media channels are categorised to make them more accountable for content distributed over their channels. Either identity transparency is exercised to make individuals responsible for their words or, where anonymity, aliases and cloaking is permitted, the carrier becomes liable.
“Enjoy your short break Peter and we look forward to seeing more of you in an orange shirt for seasons to come! COYH”
We’re all with you @P_kioso31 ???
Club statement on the shameful online racial abuse of one of our young players ?#COYHhttps://t.co/xJcArfHQfk
— @LutonTown (@LutonTown) July 25, 2020
Fans showed their support after seeing that each other the players from Derby and Luton were sent racist messages…
The vast majority of Forest and Derby fans are reasonable people. I live in Derbyshire, I’m a Forest season ticket holder, my neighbour has a Derby one, we are very good friends.
Sadly there will always be idiots!
— Andy Brown (@redbrowny31) July 23, 2020
Absolute shocking Im a forest fan, and disgraced by his words. No place for it. Report him Duane. Sick to death of un educated and racist people in the world.
— scott (@outlawfan1977) July 24, 2020
Screenshot it and make him famous Duane. Sure his work place and family will like to see this
— Alex Marshall (@marshall89_alex) July 23, 2020
Sorry to read this Duane unfortunately a minority always spoil for the majority- hope you get over injury and come back with your smooth running next season – there is something special happening with all you younger players ???
— Liz Woolley (@Lizzieram) July 24, 2020
Sorry to hear that, disgusting from whoever sent those messages. Sad to see some Derby fans paint the whole of Nottingham with the same brush though. 99% of Forest fans will be disgusted to hear the abuse you’ve received.
— Nathan Fletcher (@Nathan_CTR) July 23, 2020
Spot on Duane. If people resort to racism it shows:-
1. Their own inadequacy/ignorance.
2. Their inability to have a reasoned civilised argument.
I blame their parents/peers & upbringing, as no baby is born a racist.
Ignore them, report & block is the answer!
— Mark The Donny Iron (@markdonnyiron) July 24, 2020
Can I just say, as a Hartlepool fan this one individual doesn’t speak for the full Hartlepool United fan base. We sang Kiosos name week in week out and were gutted when he left as he was an unbelievable player for us. Disgusting comments towards him and I hope the club sort it.
— ????????? ❤️ (@_CharlJenkinsx) July 25, 2020
I met Peter at a @HattersHeritage evening and thought he was a top lad. This again shows what a top lad he is letting everyone know what he has had to endure. Sorry you had to go through this. Right behind you Peter. COYH !!!!!
— Mattthehatter (@BuddhistMatt) July 25, 2020
If the perpetrator is found, I hope they get the book thrown at them, and that they’re named and shamed. This is vile and unacceptable but we got your back, @P_kioso31 ???
— Les Pratt (@bonaomi1) July 25, 2020
It’s obvious and I shouldn’t need to say it but they don’t represent @Official_HUFC fans in any way, were all happy for Peter for advancing to a better club in a better division, a lot of fans in the supporters group are proud of what he’s achieved since joining pools. pic.twitter.com/tdjDXGoC0F
— . (@UTP1908) July 25, 2020
Disgusting to see the racist messages sent to players from Derby and Luton. How does it still happen in this day and age!
— Jason Lee ?? (@ForeverAYellow) July 25, 2020
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