Premier League: AST 2 - 0 CRY - Police arrest 12-year old boy over racist messages sent to Wilfred Zaha
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| Aston Villa Egyptian pro winger Trezeguet celebrates with his team after scoring the second goal. Photo: Getty Images via TheGuardian |
Egypt international Trezeguet injected life into Aston Villa’s survival hopes with two goals to secure a crucial win as Crystal Palace were defeated 2-0 at Villa Park.
A 12-year-old boy has been arrested by police investigating racist messages sent to Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha on social media.
Zaha revealed he had received several abusive messages on social media before Sunday's trip to Aston Villa, a game they lost 2-0.
His manager Roy Hodgson called the abuse "cowardly and despicable".
The Premier League called the abuse of the 27-year-old Ivory Coast winger "completely unacceptable".
West Midlands Police tweeted Zaha to say they would look into the abuse and hours later confirmed an arrest.
"We were alerted to a series of racist messages sent to a footballer today and after looking into them and conducting checks, we have arrested a boy," read a WM Police tweet.
"The 12-year-old from Solihull has been taken to custody. Thanks to everyone who raised it. Racism won't be tolerated."
West Midlands Police tweeted ⬇
Speaking to Sky Sports before the arrest, Hodgson added: "It's been highlighted at the moment anyway with the Black Lives Matter movement and everyone seems to be making such an effort to eradicate this behaviour.#ARRESTED| We were alerted to a series of racist messages sent to a footballer today and after looking into them and conducting checks, we have arrested a boy.— West Midlands Police - #StayAlert (@WMPolice) July 12, 2020
The 12-year-old from #Solihull has been taken to custody.
Thanks to everyone who raised it. Racism won't be tolerated. pic.twitter.com/oFxBUvdtV1
"It is very sad that, on the day of a game, a player wakes up to this cowardly and despicable abuse. It's right Wilf has made people aware of it and I don't think this is something you should keep quiet about.
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| Trezeguet celebrates goal with teammate. Photo: PA via ES |
"He wants to put off one of our best players from playing well today, but to do it in the way he has chosen is totally inexcusable."
The Premier League said: "This behaviour is completely unacceptable and the Premier League stands alongside Wilfried Zaha in opposing this, and discrimination in any form.
"We will continue to support players, managers, coaches and their family members who receive serious discriminatory online abuse."
Players in England's top flight have been kneeling in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before every match since the season restarted in June.
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