Preston say they have been left ‘appalled’ by racist abuse sent to Thierry Small after his own goal against QPR on Monday.
The footballer took to social media after the game, only to discover comments sent to him by one user following the 1-1 draw.
He uploaded screenshots of the messages from Fernando Castillo (sergiofernad0), captioning it: “And it’s still happening in 2026 (I’m only human).”
Preston’s Thierry Small with a CALAMITOUS own-goal! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/0YP5p2RpWN
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 6, 2026
Have to get behind Thierry Small at the Valley, these comments still happening in football is awful, get a chant of his name going or something just to get him to bounce back from last game.
#pnefc pic.twitter.com/X9EJnHCLEz— hayden (@hcurtissmith09) April 7, 2026
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) April 7, 2026
PRESTON STATEMENT:
“We were absolutely appalled to discover deplorable comments of a racist nature made by a user on a post on our Instagram page aimed at Thierry Small following yesterday’s game against QPR at Deepdale.
“The comments have been reported to the Lancashire Police and we will assist them with carrying out any necessary action taken against the individual responsible.
“The club continues to reiterate its stance against racism and condemns any behaviour of this nature. There is no place for such abhorrent and frankly disgusting and discriminatory language in football nor society.
If and when the individual responsible is identified, they will be banned from Deepdale for life. ”
Preston’s Paul Heckingbottom said, on wanting everyone to rally around Thierry Small, per LEP: “I feel for everyone… players, staff, the last two games. I’ve said to everyone down there, get around Thierry. No-one wants to be that player. He’s had a big swipe, it’s taken a horrific bobble, come off his shin and gone in.
“Yeah, can’t legislate for that. The frustrating thing is we’ve scored a fantastic goal again, the same as Friday. Friday we could say the mistakes, not intended mistakes; today was just purely afreak goal.
“No blame… the only thing is you’re looking at trying to have a big surface area. Don’t swipe, just get good contact. They’re the coaching bits but I think if it had been coming on the full, he’s clearing that.
“But the fact it’s bobbled across and then took a big jump up, he can’t anticipate that, he can’t read that. I’ve just said to the players, get around him. It could’ve happened to any one of our players and no-one wants to be that player.”
⚪️ “I feel for everyone… over the last two games. I’ve said to everyone, ‘get round Thierry’ [Small – after his late own goal]. No-one wants to be that player. He’s had a big swipe; it took an horrific bobble, came off his shin and gone in.”#Preston North End manager Paul… pic.twitter.com/aeyNO2UHDd
— BBC Sport Lancashire (@BBCLancsSport) April 6, 2026
On the game: “Obviously frustrating. “Similar to Friday away at Leicester. We scored a fantastic goal, and then a freak goal cost us the three points, which is frustrating.
“You can’t legislate for a goal like that today. It’s one of those things. We were very, very good to that point against a team that’s in good form. I also thought they would come and set up as they did in a block and make it difficult for us as soon as we win the ball back to get into that 4-2-4 shape.
“We had to be patient. We controlled the game and tried to create moments with balls in behind or capitalise when we could play quickly, and credit to the players at half-time.”
On Brad Potts coming in for Andrew Moran: “He [Potts] was signed as a midfielder; he played most of his games as a wing-back, but he definitely can score from midfield. Arriving in those positions, whether it’s from crosses or breaking as you play through the lines, I know he can do that. I’ve seen him do that many times.
“Great to have him. We put him in for Andy today to freshen it up because he’s chomping at the bit, but that’s what Andy’s done as well in the last two games. Andy’s had a goal and an assist as well.
“Pleased and really pleased that he’s been back fit now for a number of weeks and training consistently, available for games, getting minutes, and that can only benefit us.”
On Andrew Hughes and Potts playing their 300th and 250th matches for the club: “You don’t often see players last that long.
“Credit to them, good professionals, good lads as well, and they’ve been really good servants here.
“But I know what they’re like, they’ll certainly be wanting the 301st and 251st, and that’s what we want.
“We want players who want to be here, who want to play, and keep themselves fit and professional to get themselves ready to play.”
Social media users gave their thoughts with Preston left ‘appalled’ by racist abuse sent to Thierry Small after his own goal against QPR…
@pneonline: That horrific DM sent to Thierry Small is clearly not from anyone connected to #pnefc. We are fully behind you Thierry. 💙🤍 #pnefc
@pne_ste: Then posts to Thierry Small are horrific
@farrington89996: Some fucker messaged theses vile words to Thierry small, we’re all behind Thierry no room for it #pnefc
@thejdtucker: Feel so bad for Thierry Small. We have a responsibility as a fanbase to get behind our players, Gentry Day is this weekend, let’s show why we are the Gentry. Let’s get behind him #pnefc
@harrypnefc: It’s disgusting and yes he made a mistake but this should not be happening, shit happens in football get over it, no need to take it there and be racist.
@mattyfootyhd: Absolutely disgusting 🤢 the fact this is still happening in 2026 is a disgrace #pnefc
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