Millwall defender Zak Sturge received online racist abuse after he was sent off against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Sturge was dismissed in the 59th minute for a foul on Yuki Ohashi with his side leading 1-0, before Blackburn’s Mathias Jorgensen scored twice in five minutes to turn the game around for Rovers late on.
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Millwall said the abuse had come from two overseas Instagram accounts and neither appeared to have any affiliation to either club.
“Both accounts have been reported to Instagram’s parent company, Meta, and the EFL and the club is waiting for an update on this,” Millwall said in a statement.
It continued: “Emojis with racist intent and slurs about his skin colour were sent to Zak from two separate overseas Instagram accounts – one from Belgium and another from Mexico.
“Neither account appears to have any fan affiliation with Millwall or Blackburn Rovers.
“The club is doing everything it can to support Zak and his family and wholeheartedly condemns this behaviour in the strongest possible terms.
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“It is disgraceful that in 2026 players continue to be subjected to such abuse. It has no place in the sport we love or in society.”
The Lions had taken the lead through Luke Cundle’s acrobatic bicycle kick after 54 minutes before Sturge, 21, fouled Blackburn attacker Ohashi just before the hour.
The Japan international looked to be through on goal, leading to referee Andrew Kitchen brandishing a red card, though Millwall captain Jake Cooper appeared to be providing cover.
Goals from Jorgensen in the 80th and 85th minutes sealed the comeback win for Blackburn to deny the Lions three points that would have sent them second in the Championship.
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