Rangers Football Club has issued a strong condemnation of racial abuse directed at two of its players, describing the incidents as "simply unacceptable." The club confirmed that Djeidi Gassama and Emmanuel Fernandez were both targeted with racist messages on their Instagram accounts after Sunday's Premiership match against Livingston.
Incidents Following Dramatic Draw
The abuse occurred following a dramatic 2-2 draw at Livingston, where Rangers came from two goals down to secure a point. Emmanuel Fernandez scored one of the crucial goals in the comeback, while Djeidi Gassama was substituted during the match by manager Danny Rohl. Despite the on-field drama, the post-match focus shifted to the disturbing social media abuse directed at the players.
Club Takes Immediate Action
In a statement released on Monday, Rangers revealed they have taken concrete steps to address the situation. The offensive content has been reported to Meta, Instagram's parent company, and will also be reported to Police Scotland for further investigation. The club emphasized that the accounts responsible appear to be anonymous and have no connection to Rangers Football Club.
"For any player, opening a phone and seeing abuse tied to the colour of their skin is simply unacceptable," the club statement declared. "That may make action harder to take, but it does not lessen the seriousness of what happened or the responsibility of the platform involved."
Player Wellbeing as Priority
Rangers identified the wellbeing of the affected players as their immediate priority. The club confirmed they are in direct contact with both Gassama and Fernandez, offering full support both immediately and through any potential future legal proceedings. The statement praised the players for standing up for themselves by highlighting the abuse.
"We are proud that they stood up for themselves by highlighting this vile abuse last night," the club said. "Manny and Djeidi represent Rangers with commitment and pride. Every time they step onto the pitch, they do so on behalf of this club and our fans."
Support from the Rangers Community
The club acknowledged that many supporters have already reached out with messages of support for the players. Rangers welcomed this backing, stating it reflects the club's core values of pride in the shirt, respect for those who wear it, and a commitment to stand together against discrimination.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about racist abuse in football, particularly through anonymous social media channels. Rangers' response demonstrates the club's determination to support its players and take appropriate action against those responsible for such abuse, regardless of the challenges posed by anonymous online accounts.
