ARSENAL have vowed to work with the police and relevant authorities after Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski were hit with racist abuse online.
The pair clashed in the match between Leeds and Arsenal, with Pepe red-carded for a headbutt on Macedonian ace Alioski.
Nicolas Pepe was shown a red card on Sunday afternoonCredit: AFP
Alioski was headbutted in the Elland Road clashCredit: AFP
And a number of idiotic fans turned to disgusting abuse while venting their frustrations.
It is also believed the players were targeted with death threats following the incident.
An Arsenal statement on the matter read: “We utterly condemn the vile abuse directed at Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski on social media following our match against Leeds United.
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“This is completely unacceptable and we will be working with the police and authorities to do everything we can to trace and prosecute the culprits.”
Leeds also released a statement on the matter.
It read: “The vile abuse directed at Ezgjan Alioski and Nicolas Pepe on social media after yesterday’s Premier League game with Arsenal will not be tolerated by Leeds United.
“We will work closely with the police and the footballing authorities to ensure those responsible are identified and punished.”
Pepe, 25, was shown the red card by referee Anthony Taylor five minutes into the second half at Elland Road.
Shaun Wright-Phillips highlighted the disgusting abuse aimed at Pepe on social media last night
The Gunners went on to hold firm, however, securing a 0-0 draw.
Sadly it didn’t take long for the racist trolls to come out in force.
Shaun Wright-Phillips, son of Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who himself was subject of awful online abuse in the summer, posted a screenshot featuring a number of vile tweets about Pepe containing horrific racial slurs.
Most came from anonymous accounts with footballers or cartoons as profile pictures.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
