Arsenal and Leeds United have condemned abuse directed at Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski following the incident between the duo during Sunday’s draw at Elland Road.
Pepe was sent off shortly after half-time for headbutting Alioski, and the Leeds United player has also been criticized for over-acting to ensure the Arsenal star’s dismissal.
Both players have since been subject racist comments from some social media users.
Arsenal on Monday morning released a statement to condemn the abuse.
“We utterly condemn the vile abuse directed at Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski on social media following our match against Leeds United,” read the statement.
“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 added in their own statement: “The vile abuse directed at Ezgjan Alioski and Nicolas Pepe on social media after yesterday’s game with Arsenal will not be tolerated by Leeds United.
“We will work closely with police and the footballing authorities to ensure those responsible are identified and punished.”
We utterly condemn the vile abuse directed at Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski on social media following our match against Leeds.
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.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 23, 2020
The vile abuse directed at Ezgjan Alioski and Nicolas Pepe on social media after yesterday’s game with Arsenal will not be tolerated by #LUFC.
We will work closely with the police and the footballing authorities to ensure those responsible are identified and punished.
— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 23, 2020
