Bukayo Saka, a promising young player for Arsenal, has once again been the target of disgusting racial abuse online as a result of his missed penalty in the 2-2 draw at West Ham. For the second time in as many weeks, the Premier League's leading Gunners gave up a two-goal advantage. Unfortunately for Saka, the visitors' second-half penalty attempt came just before Jarrod Bowen's equalizing goal for the Hammers.
Since then, it has come to light that Saka has received offensive, racially charged tweets online as a result of his errant corner kick.
Arsenal has not yet responded to the situation, but it is anticipated that they will express their player's full support.
Following the dismal result, Saka apologized to Arsenal supporters on Instagram for missing from 12 yards.
The outstanding young winger wrote: "I'll always accept my responsibilities, no matter the result. I'm sorry, Gunners, and I'll try to make it right.
Saka was defended by an Arsenal supporter on Twitter, going by the handle @PascalAbuka, who wrote: "Bukayo Saka didn't have the best day today, go ahead and criticise his performance if you must, but if I see any racism towards him I will not hesitate to report & block you."
@kattia_olsen1 commented in response to one of the racist posts, "I'm so outraged why someone would be so horrible towards Saka. I've never witnessed racism like this before.
"I swear, racism has no place in football or anywhere else," wrote @TwelveTribesNo. Saka dropped a pen; even the best may make mistakes. Please report any racist remarks made against Saka as soon as you notice them. My son needs every Arsenal supporter's help.
Saka has unfortunately been the target of racial insults before.
After missing his penalty in the Euro 2020 final against Italy back in the summer of 2021, the 21-year-old was also hounded by online trolls.
One individual was later sentenced to prison in November 2021 after racially insulting Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho while live streaming it on Facebook.
Following the tragedy, England's newest celebrity briefly disappeared from social media before sending a moving message to fans.
In 2021, he said on Instagram that he had taken some time off to visit with his family and think back on the previous few weeks.
"This message won't adequately express how appreciative I am for all the love I have received, but I feel that I must express my gratitude to everyone who has helped me.
"It was a privilege to be a member of the @England team; they are brothers for life, and I'm grateful for everything I've learned from each and every one of the players and staff who put in so much effort. Seeing my family in the crowd and knowing all they had to sacrifice to help me get there, along with the team making it to our first final in 55 years, meant the world to me.
"Words cannot express how dissatisfied I was with the outcome and my penalty. I had a lot of hope that we would prevail for you. I'm sorry we weren't able to bring it home for you this year, but I swear we'll do all in our power to ensure that this generation knows what it's like to win.
"My post-game reaction said it all; I was in such pain and worried that I had let you all and my England family down, but I can assure you that. I won't let that incident or the adversity I've experienced this week break me.
Saka also urged social media giants like Twitter and Instagram to start treating racism and online harassment on their services seriously.
I'm very appreciative of everyone who has supported me, written me sincere emails, and wished my family and I well, Saka continued.
"This is how football ought to be played. People from various backgrounds, races, and religions come together out of passion for football's emotional rollercoaster.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms Marcus and I have both received unpleasant and offensive texts this week, and I don't want any other child or adult to have to deal with them. I could immediately tell what kind of hate I was going to encounter, and it is a sad fact that your influential platforms aren't doing enough to stifle these remarks.
"There is no place for racism or hate of any kind in football or in any other aspect of society. By uniting to denounce those who are spreading these messages, by taking action and reporting these remarks to the police, and by driving out the hate by being kind to one another, we will succeed. Always wins is love. Bulakayo Saka.
