Norwich City have issued a statement criticising racial abuse of players following their 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Tuesday 28 December 2021.
Dean Smith’s Canaries were comfortably defeated away at Selhurst Park as Odsonne Edouard, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jeffrey Schlupp all found the net for the hosts, which left Norwich sat rock bottom of the Premier League with 42 goals conceded this season in 19 league matches.
Racial abuse however was directed toward various Norwich players online and against Palace players within Selhurst Park from Norwich supporters, which left the club feeling ‘disappointed’ at the racist incidents that have unfolded.
Norwich consequently iterated that ‘Such behaviour is not welcome in following and supporting Norwich City.’
Club officials also released the following statement calling for serious action to stamp out racism: ‘The club will continue to support those players affected, whilst demanding action from social media companies to ensure that users are held accountable for their unacceptable behaviour.’
Officials also confirmed that a police investigation is under way after ‘The club have also reported the incident to Norfolk Police.’
Norwich also confirmed that one ‘individual has also been identified and an investigation is ongoing following the alleged racist comments directed at Crystal Palace’s players.
‘No player, whether our player or an opposition player, should be subject to this type of abuse.’
Concluding their statement, Norwich have vowed to ‘continue to do everything we can to eradicate all forms of unlawful discrimination from the game.’
The club have also lent their support where necessary for the imposing of ‘the strongest possible sanctions against perpetrators of this behaviour.’
This incident however is just the latest act of racial discrimination in a year where racism has been a difficult issue for many teams and players, as highlighted by several acts of racist abuse of England players in July after Euro 2020 Final heartbreak.
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