Luton Town have slammed the ‘unacceptable’ and ‘mindless’ racist abuse received online by Hatters full back Peter Kioso and called for a review of social media channels so that companies are ‘accountable for content distributed over their channels’.
The former Dunstable Town defender made his club and Football League debut in the penultimate game of the season, coming on as a late substitute for the 1-0 win at Hull City, which set up a final day decider that proved successful in securing the club’s Championship status.
The 20-year-old, who was signed from National League side Hartlepool United in the January transfer window, was then filmed himself dancing and celebrating in his Instagram Live feed last Wednesday, after the 3-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers that had seen Town pull off the Great Escape.
But while celebrating in Luton’s changing room, he was sent a message, apparently from a supporter of Hartlepool, saying: ‘U look like a monkey’,
The post has since been reported by Pools to the police and the Hatters have responded, condemning the message.
A statement from Luton, said: ‘All at Luton Town are appalled that discriminatory comments can be directed towards anyone in this day and age, but we are especially upset for one of our young players, Peter Kioso, who has been subject to shameful abuse this week – a week when he has made his club and league debut and rightly celebrated his role in helping us survive in the Championship.
‘As a club and a town which celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion, we firmly stand behind Peter and all of our minority players and staff regardless of their skin tone, ethnicity or religion.
‘We have been helping the police with enquiries to bring the perpetrator of this mindless act to account.
‘Racism is unacceptable in person or via any media channel and we believe it is high time that there is a review of how social media channels are categorised to make them more accountable for content distributed over their channels.
‘Either identity transparency is exercised to make individuals responsible for their words or, where anonymity, aliases and cloaking is permitted, the carrier becomes liable.
‘Enjoy your short break Peter and we look forward to seeing more of you in an orange shirt for seasons to come!’
Writing on his own Twitter account, Kioso posted: ‘In 2020 seriously come on, a fan that used to sing my name wants to be doing this.
‘This happened on Wednesday night after the boys and I were celebrating such a big thing that we did and I was not going to let that ruin the moment but now that everything has calmed down I feel like I shed light on it to let everyone know how things still are in 2020!!’
