Tolu Arokodare has endured a “deeply difficult week” after being targeted with racist abuse online following a missed penalty in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 1-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace.

Wolves head coach Rob Edwards revealed the emotional toll the online attacks have taken on the Nigerian striker, describing him as “upset and angered” by the racist messages that flooded social media after the match.

Speaking ahead of Wolves’ next fixture, Edwards confirmed the club has provided strong internal support.

He held one-on-one discussions with Arokodare and addressed the issue with the squad to reinforce unity and solidarity.

“It’s been a really difficult week for him,” Edwards said. “We’ve supported him fully, and the response from genuine Wolves fans has been overwhelming and positive.”

Premier League and Police Investigation

The Premier League has contacted Wolves to offer support, while the UK Football Policing Unit has launched an investigation into the racist abuse.

Authorities are expected to take a formal statement from Arokodare in the coming days.

Edwards expressed frustration that racism in football remains persistent despite repeated campaigns and awareness drives.

He noted that many players under his management have faced similar abuse in recent years.

One major challenge, according to the Wolves boss, is the anonymity of social media accounts, with many offensive posts traced to accounts operating overseas.

He called on social media platforms to strengthen monitoring systems and enforce stricter penalties against offenders.

Growing Concern Over Racism in Football

The incident adds to growing concerns about racist abuse in the Premier League and global football.

Anti-racism advocates continue to demand tougher action from authorities, clubs, and tech companies to protect players from online discrimination.

For Arokodare, the focus now shifts back to football — but the broader fight against racism in sport remains far from over.