Luton Town FC has issued a powerful statement condemning recent racial abuse directed at Nigeria-eligible striker Elijah Adebayo, vowing to defend their player against all forms of discrimination.
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Adebayo, who scored ten goals in the Premier League last season, saw his side relegated despite his efforts. This season, he’s struggled to find his form, netting just once in twelve Championship appearances.
Recently, Adebayo encountered racial abuse on social media, a painful reminder of the discrimination he also faced last year during Luton’s Premier League campaign.
The club took a resolute stance in Adebayo’s defense, addressing the perpetrator directly: “To the individual who cowardly dropped into Elijah’s DMs: We know who you are, and you know who you are.
You’re not a faceless account, but if you think you have the courage to repeat this in person at Kenilworth Road, you’ll face everyone at Luton Town Football Club standing side-by-side with Elijah.”
Luton Town emphasized their commitment to eradicating abuse, noting that education is key. “Abuse of any kind is unacceptable. We are committed to educating everyone on the abhorrence of racism and other forms of discrimination,” they wrote.
Last season, as part of the Premier League’s “No Room For Racism” campaign, the club shared abusive messages received by their players with staff to raise awareness of its real-life impact.
Meanwhile, Adebayo has expressed interest in representing Nigeria’s national team, though he has yet to receive an official invitation.