Alex Jankewitz: Southampton contact police over racist abuse aimed at teenage midfielder

Nineteen-year-old was sent off on his full debut as the Saints were beaten 9-0 by Manchester United

Alex Jankewitz during his full Southampton debut on Tuesday (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Southampton have contacted the police over apparent racist abuse aimed at Alex Jankewitz online.

The 19-year-old midfielder was sent off in the second minute of his full debut for the club as they were beaten 9-0 by Manchester United in the Premier League on Tuesday.

A statement released by Southampton on Wednesday evening read: “Southampton Football Club can confirm that it has identified a number of posts on social media directing racial abuse at our 19-year-old midfielder Alex Jankewitz, following last night’s result at Manchester United. 

“Abuse of any form will never be tolerated at Southampton. Our club prides itself on its inclusive nature, and supporters who stoop to such abhorrent and archaic standards are not welcome as Southampton supporters, or anywhere else within football. 

“The club will continue to fight every day to remove such people from our sport and our community in order to protect our players, our staff, Southampton fans and football supporters around the world who recognise and celebrate the diversity that makes football special.

“The club is passing on all abusive messages to Hampshire Police and hope they are able to permanently remove those individuals from our football community.”

The news comes in the same week that Man United players Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe were victims of online racial abuse. 

West Brom, meanwhile, reported racist abuse of their midfielder Romaine Sawyers, leading to an arrest, and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wrote to his players to offer his support following the racial abuse of defender Reece James.