Club seeks to trace offenders with police help
Hull City have confirmed they are working with Humberside Police and other authorities after a wave of racially abusive social media messages was aimed at new signing Robinio Vaz. The 19-year-old French forward, whose arrival on a season-long loan from Roma was announced this week, was the subject of remarks the club described as "abhorrent".
In a statement the club said it had been in contact with the Premier League, anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out and social media companies as part of wider efforts to identify the accounts responsible and ensure "appropriate action" is taken.
"We are also working with Humberside Police and other relevant authorities to identify the accounts responsible for this disgusting abuse, so that appropriate action can be taken against those individuals."
Organisations involved and next steps
Hull City said it stood with the player and encouraged supporters to report discrimination. The Premier League also issued a statement offering its full support to the player and the club, and reiterated its determination to work with clubs, authorities, law enforcement and social media companies to tackle online abuse.
- Hull City — reported the abuse, liaising with relevant bodies.
- Humberside Police — working with the club to identify account holders and establish whether criminal offences have been committed.
- Premier League and Kick It Out — supporting investigations and broader anti-discrimination work.
- Social media companies — being contacted to assist in identifying and potentially removing offending material and accounts.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Robinio Vaz, 19, loan from Roma |
| Club | Hull City (newly promoted) |
| Authorities involved | Humberside Police, Premier League, Kick It Out |
Local context and impact
Incidents of racist abuse directed at professional footballers have repeatedly triggered national debate in recent seasons, with clubs and governing bodies under pressure to demonstrate effective deterrents and swift action. For supporters and residents in Hull, the episode will be felt beyond the club's playing squad: it touches on community standards, the safety of young players living and working in the area, and the effectiveness of online safeguards.
Hull City, having secured promotion to the top flight, has been preparing for increased visibility both on and off the pitch. Club officials framed their response to the abuse as part of a zero-tolerance approach. The Premier League's statement made clear that any individuals identified and found guilty of discrimination would face the "strongest possible sanctions, including club bans and legal prosecution."
Local policing teams typically review online reports to establish whether messages amount to hate crime under existing legislation. Where material meets the threshold for criminal investigation, officers can seek account-holder details from social media platforms and, when appropriate, invite prosecutions. The club's public co-operation with those agencies aims to ensure any enquiry is supported with the necessary evidence.
Supporters' groups and anti-discrimination charities often urge fans to use official reporting channels rather than responding directly on social media. Hull City's appeal for fans to report discrimination follows this advice and is intended to channel incidents through processes that can be monitored and investigated.
As investigations progress, residents and fans will be watching for updates from the club and Humberside Police on whether those responsible can be identified and what sanctions may follow.
