This archive report was first published on 11 May 2020.
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright has been subjected to a barrage of racist abuse on social media, sparking widespread condemnation from anti-racism charities.
On May 11, 2020, Wright went public with the messages he received, including one that read: “You’re like 65 years old. If I get corona I will cough in your face and give you your death sentence.”
Wright, 56, who also played for Crystal Palace and West Ham, took to Twitter to expose the abuse, saying: “I know I’m not meant to look at them but these messages still hit me so hard man. This is a child!!!”
He added: “This kid has a direct line into me & is able to send this without any worry.”
Leading anti-racism charities, including Show Racism the Red Card, condemned the abuse, with chief executive Ged Grebby stating: “Ian Wright has put his head above the parapet again and I saw him on Match of the Day with Gary Lineker a few weeks ago talking about the racist abuse he suffered as a player.”
Grebby also highlighted the rise of racism in society, saying: “It shows racism is society’s problem and unfortunately it has been on the rise. People having been staying at home but it doesn’t stop them abusing people on social media and this is a shocking example of that.”
Former Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor was also sent a racist message on Instagram, with Kick It Out calling for those who targeted him and Wright to be punished.
