Police Scotland have confirmed they are investigating “abhorrent” racist abuse directed at Rangers players Emmanuel Fernandez and Djeidi Gassama following Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Livingston.
Both players took to social media on Sunday night to share screenshots of the discriminatory messages they received on Instagram. The abuse follows a match in which Fernandez scored a vital goal to spark a Rangers comeback, while Gassama was a key figure in the game’s controversial red card incident.
Rangers: “Simply Unacceptable”
Rangers moved quickly to support their players, reporting the incidents to Meta (the parent company of Instagram) and releasing a powerful statement of solidarity. The club clarified that the anonymous accounts responsible have no connection to the Ibrox side.
“For any player, opening a phone and seeing abuse tied to the colour of their skin is simply unacceptable,” a club spokesperson stated. “Manny and Djeidi represent Rangers with commitment and pride. We are proud that they stood up for themselves by highlighting this vile abuse.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed: “We are aware of offensive posts online and enquiries are at an early stage.”
An “Appalling Weekend” for Football
The incidents in West Lothian were part of a wider, disturbing trend across British football this weekend. Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out described it as an “appalling weekend,” with several other high-profile players targeted:
- Tolu Arokodare (Wolves) and Romaine Mundle (Sunderland) were abused on Sunday.
- Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley) and Wesley Fofana (Chelsea) targeted following their clash at Stamford Bridge.
- Livingston themselves recently reported alleged racial comments made toward striker Jeremy Bokila during a match against Aberdeen.
Government Response
The scale of the abuse has reached the highest levels of government. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the messages as “abhorrent,” adding that ministers will be holding social media platforms to account to ensure they do more to protect players from discrimination.
Rangers have confirmed that their “immediate priority” is the well-being of Fernandez and Gassama, offering full support as the judicial process begins.
🗣️ STANDING TOGETHER
Football is a game for everyone, and there is no place for this behaviour in our stands or on our screens.
Fitba Focus stands with Emmanuel Fernandez and Djeidi Gassama. We encourage fans to report any discriminatory behaviour they see online or in person.
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
