EFL Championship side, Luton Town, have sent a strong message in response to a racial discrimination directed towards Nigeria-eligible striker, Elijah Anuoluwapo Adebayo, Soccernet.ng reports.
The lanky striker scored ten goals in The Hatter’s English Premier League campaign last season, but that couldn’t help them secure safety in the English top-flight and as a result, they suffered relegation to the Championships.
The 26-year-old has struggled to replicate his Premier League form in the second tier of English football, scoring just one goal from twelve outings.
A few days ago, Adebayo received messages on his social media account with some of them indicating racial discriminatory content directed at him. It was also not the first time he suffered such, as a likely incident occurred about a year ago, when Luton played in the Premier League.
As a result, the club have taken their stance in Adebayo’s defense, sending out a strong message to the perpetrators of the vile act whilst letting them know the implications of their actions.
“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, one which we have sadly become accustomed to reporting in recent years.
But as if you have the balls to come to Kenilworth Road and say it to his face. We dare you. If you do, you’ll be faced with everyone at Luton Town Football Club, standing side-by-side with Elijah.
Abuse of any kind is unacceptable. But does everyone know that? It’s why we are doing our bit to educate everyone that racism and all forms of abuse is abhorrent and unacceptable.
Last season, as part of the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign, we showed members of our staff the racist and abusive messages our players have been subjected to. This is real life with real life affects,” the club posted on their official website.
Elijah Adebayo has indicated his interest in representing the Super Eagles of Nigeria, but an official invitation is yet to arrive for the striker.