Bright Osayi-Samuel: QPR winger reveals horrific racist abuse sent on Instagram after Norwich game
Osayi-Samuel scored QPR’s equaliser in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with the Canaries but revealed disgraceful abuse aimed at himself and his family
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Queens Park Rangers winger Bright Osayi-Samuel has revealed horrific racial abuse he received on Instagram following the 1-1 draw with Norwich City on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old posted a screengrab on his profile of a disgraceful direct message that was sent to him following the Championship match, in which he scored QPR’s equaliser from the penalty spot.
The abuse, which The Independent will not republish due to the severity of the comments, included insults to Osayi-Samuel’s family and threats to his and their lives. It includes a reference to a lost bet that appears to be the motivation behind the vitriolic message, before a series of racially offensive emojis.
Osayi-Samuel said that it was “disgusting and painful to receive messages like this”, and follows a series of racial abuse being sent to high-profile black footballers in England. Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Tottenham’s Ryan Sessegnon are among those who have revealed receiving similar abuse online.
QPR are already working with Instagram in an effort to identify the individual responsible for the abuse, with chief executive Lee Hoos labelling the message “abhorrent”. Furthermore, director of football Les Ferdinand call on governing bodies across all sports to collectively call on social media platforms such as Instagram to change the way in which they tackle racist abuse.
“This type of abuse on social media is too commonplace and has to stop,” Ferdinand said.
“In a society that now rightly places greater importance on mental wellbeing than ever before, how can people be able to set up anonymous social media accounts?
“This will continue and continue until we stop it from being possible.
“I believe governing bodies across sport – not just football – need to come together to create a powerful voice which calls for social media platforms to change their stance.”
QPR’s CEO Hoos added: “We completely deplore the abhorrent abuse Bright has been subjected to.
“It astounds me that people feel they can freely post such comments without any fear of reprisal.
“We are working with Instagram and asking them to assist us in identifying the individual concerned.
“I do feel social media platforms have a duty of care to its users who are victimised in this way.”
Police are looking into the matter after being alerted to the abusive message on Wednesday, and are attempting to make contact with the club as well as Osayi-Samuel.
A Metropolitan Police statement read: “Police are aware of an Instagram post made on Tuesday, 29 December. We were subsequently contacted on Wednesday, 30 December by a third party about a report of racial and abusive messages sent via social media.
“Officers will now endeavour to make contact with regards to making a report.
“There have been no arrests at this time however enquiries continue.”
The incident comes just two days after Kilmarnock received a letter containing racist abuse aimed at manager Alex Dyer, with the Scottish club handing it on to police for DNA analysis.
The Scottish Premiership club has confirmed that it will take the strongest possible action against anyone found to be responsible for the abuse, which was received by the club on Monday morning following the 2-1 Boxing Day defeat by Livingston.