Increase in xenophobic attacks on footballers

Anti-racist campaigners have raised concerns about the sharp rise in xenophobic abuse of footballers post-Brexit.

 Several incidents involving high-profile players have been reported during recent weeks, including Chelsea midfielders Eden Hazard and Willian, who were assaulted at a training session by members of the public for being too flash.

Mesut Özil closed his Twitter account after he was inundated with abusive messages accusing him of using fancy European footwork instead of traditional British footballing moves.

One anonymous campaigner told Footballs Today that some players were too frightened to play short, skilful passes.

However, German Leicester defender Robert Huth said that some players need to do more to integrate: "I've been in this country for years with no problems whatsoever, because I made the effort to adapt to the British way of life by learning how to elbow players in the ribs and boot the ball into the stands. I've been doing it ever since and the fans love it."