Arsenal and Leeds United condemn online abuse of Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski

The two players clashed during Sunday evening's Premier League match at Elland Road

Arsenal and Leeds United have condemned abuse of players Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski after the two players clashed during the sides' goalless draw in the Premier League on Sunday evening. The abuse followed the sending off of Pepe early in the second half at Elland Road, when the Frenchman appeared to lightly headbutt Alioski in what was only his second league start of the season. It followed an attempt by the North Macedonian player to block Pepe from entering the box. Both players were subjected to racist abuse in the aftermath of the game, with the abuse aimed at Pepe highlighted by former Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shawn Wright-Philips after the game. https://twitter.com/swp29/status/1330607615588622337?s=20 According to The Athletic, threats were also made directly to Alioski and his family after the match. A Leeds United statement said: “The vile abuse directed at Ezgjan Alioski and Nicolas Pepe on social media after yesterday’s Premier League game with Arsenal will not be tolerated by Leeds United. “We will work closely with the police and the footballing authorities to ensure those responsible are identified and punished.” A statement by Arsenal added: "We utterly condemn the vile abuse directed at Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski on social media following our match against Leeds. "This is completely unacceptable and we will be working with the police and authorities to do everything we can to trace and prosecute the culprits."

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