FootyChatter.com

Joe Willock joined Newcastle from Arsenal in the summer of 2021 after a successful loan spell Newcastle United have contacted police after midfielder Joe Willock was the target for "appalling" racist abuse on social media. Willock received the abuse on Instagram following Newcastle's 2-1 defeat against Fulham at St James' Park on Saturday. The 25-year-old was a second-half substitute and missed a chance to put Newcastle 2-1 up before Rodrigo Muniz scored late on to secure the points for Fulham. Willock shared screenshots of some of the abuse he faced, and Newcastle called for action from social media companies to prevent players receiving such messages. "Newcastle United strongly condemns the appalling racist abuse received by Joe Willock on Instagram on Saturday evening. There is no room for racism anywhere, " read a club statement. "Joe has been given the club's full support and we will continue to do all we can to ensure the welfare of our players, staff and supporters. "The club has reported the abuse to Meta - the owners of Instagram, and urges all social media companies to do more to eradicate this behaviour from their platforms. "The club has also reported the abuse to the police, and will support the strongest possible action against those responsible. " A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "Shortly after 21: 00 GMT yesterday [Saturday], we received a number of complaints about a post on social media. "As a result, an investigation is ongoing. "We want to make it clear we condemn all forms of discrimination. " The Premier League said it was "appalled" by the abuse and would support the investigation, adding it would "where possible take action against any individual we are able to identify". News of Willock's abuse comes a week after police began an investigation into "threats and abuse" directed at referee Michael Oliver after he controversially sent of Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly in their win at Wolves. Police have also investigated abuse received by the wife of Gunners striker Kai Havertz, including threats to the couple's unborn child, following the club's FA Cup loss to Manchester United at the start of January. Latest Newcastle news, analysis and fan views Get Newcastle news sent straight to your phone Premier League: Build-up to Man Utd v Crystal Palace & Brentford v Spurs WSL: Man City on top but still trail to Arsenal's early double Man Utd sign Lecce defender Dorgu for £25m Reggae’s first and greatest superstar, Bob Marley Bob Marley's first steps into the music industry, from a rural village to the yards of Kingston Can a fashion entrepreneur bag a Dragon? Also in the den, a canine swimming club owner hopes the Dragons don’t think he’s barking mad Tanni Grey-Thompson reflects on her astonishing career From a Paralympic gold medal winner to a campaigner and crossbench peer Chris Packham unravels the world's most bizarre events Discover the secrets behind the bird-killing death ray and the monkey that's learnt first aid 'Feelgood stories on turbulent day for Scotland' Losing 16-0 has to be a good thing for England - here's why Borthwick's bold plan crumbles to dust in Dublin 'All-round package' Jones makes difference for Scotland Liverpool pass 'tough challenge' with flying colours 'Not a magician' but Moyes casts spell again at Everton How Forest's Elanga & Gibbs-White 'ran Brighton ragged' Video How Forest's Elanga & Gibbs-White 'ran Brighton ragged' 'Best midfield in the league' - Keown praises Liverpool trio. Video'Best midfield in the league' - Keown praises Liverpool trio Knight still the right captain for England - Hartley 'A one-man show' - the legacy of transfer king Raiola Nurmagomedov v Makhachev - who leads lightweight GOAT race? 'The prince who never became king' - Neymar returns to Santos 'He is a world-class assassin' - Shearer meets Isak The night the Super Bowl lights went out in New Orleans Busting myths about causes of Spurs' injury crisis Remarkable tale of Czar of Hearts Vladimir Romanov How Rangers and Europa League seem made for each other Five ways a new format has transformed the Champions League How does the Six Nations scoring work? Video How does the Six Nations scoring work? Are we in a golden age of the Six Nations? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.