[News] Police charge 22-year-old man over alleged racial abuse of footballer Yannick Bolasie after he was called the n-word on social media

Police in Scotland have charged a man in connection with an allegation of racially-aggravated online abuse aimed at Congolese footballer, Yannick Bolasie.

The 22-year-old is due to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Wednesday following his arrest.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a racially aggravated comment posted online.

‘He is expected to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 17 March, 2021.’

Bolasie, who plays as a winger for Middlesbrough on loan from Premier League club Everton, revealed he had been called a ‘n*****’ on social media in a Twitter post last Wednesday.

In a statement last week, Boro said the abuse ‘demonstrates exactly why more has to be done to identify the perpetrators of such comments and bring them to justice.’

The statement continued: ‘It is of great concern to the club that we are witnessing behaviour of this type and it cannot be allowed to continue.

‘As our players said when responding to the debate on taking the knee we now need to see demonstrable actions from those who have the power to implement them rather than further gestures. Actions must speak louder than words.

‘We repeat that we will not tolerate abuse of any form and any individuals who are identified to us will not only face the prospect of criminal charges but will also be banned from the Riverside Stadium.’

The Democratic Republic of Congo international tweeted last Wednesday: ‘Something seriously wrong with people… Keyboard warriors. Still yet to meet a person who had this energy when they saw me.’

Bolasie’s parent club also condemned the attack on their player, with a statement from Everton reading: ‘Everton has a zero-tolerance approach to any kind of racism or discrimination. There is no room for racism in football or society.

‘By working together, we can fight discrimination wherever it exists. Everybody has a part to play and social media abuse should never go unreported.

‘We also urge social media platforms to strengthen measures to prevent this kind of behaviour. Through challenging it and reporting it, we can all play a part in changing it.’