By Pa Sport StaffPublished: 15:12 EDT, 21 May 2021 | Updated: 15:26 EDT, 21 May 2021Southend say they are 'appalled and saddened' by online racist abuse received by forward Simeon Akinola. Southend striker Simeon Akinola revealed online racist abuse targeted at him on social mediaThe 28-year-old revealed on his Instagram vile racist messages sent to him by messageA club statement read: 'We are appalled and saddened at racist abuse received by Simeon Akinola on social media today and call on social media companies to do more and take action.' A growing number of footballers have been the victims of racist abuse on social media in the past few months. Earlier in May, the Football Association called on the Government to introduce legislation to compel social media companies to do more to stop online abuse. But since the blackout, police have launched an investigation into 'vile racist abuse' of Swansea striker Morgan Whittaker, while the likes of Raheem Sterling and Rabbi Matondo have also been targeted.

Source: The Nation May 21, 2021 19:52 UTC