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Wilfried Zaha: Police arrest 12-year-old after Crystal Palace star sent racist messages
Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha shared the racist messages he was sent on social media.
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A 12-year-old boy has been arrested by police after racist messages were apparently sent to Wilfried Zaha ahead of Crystal Palace's Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Zaha posted a series of screenshots of the alleged racist abuse sent to him on social media, with the Ivory Coast international writing on Twitter: "Woke up to this today."
West Midlands Police issued a statement after Palace's 2-0 defeat at Villa Park that an arrest had been made.
It read: "We were alerted to a series of racist messages sent to a footballer today and after looking into them and conducting checks, we have arrested a boy.
"The 12-year-old from #Solihull has been taken to custody.
"Thanks to everyone who raised it. Racism won't be tolerated."
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The sickening messages come as English football is embracing the Black Lives Matter movement following the tragic death of George Floyd in America.
Premier League stars have been taking a knee before kick off in every game since the restart to show solidarity.
The top flight recently launched a system allowing players to flag online abuse.
Speaking before the arrest was made, Palace manager Roy Hodgson said: "I think it's important [that players and football clubs continue to raise awareness of the abuse suffered].
KEY STORY: Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha shares vile racist abuse ahead of Aston Villa game
#ARRESTED| We were alerted to a series of racist messages sent to a footballer today and after looking into them and conducting checks, we have arrested a boy.
— West Midlands Police - #StayAlert (@WMPolice) July 12, 2020
The 12-year-old from #Solihull has been taken to custody.
Thanks to everyone who raised it. Racism won't be tolerated. pic.twitter.com/oFxBUvdtV1
"I think it is being highlighted very much anyway with the black lives matter movement, and everyone seems to be making such an effort to eradicate this type of behaviour.
"It is very saddening on the day of a game that a player wakes up to this cowardly and despicable abuse.
"I think it is right that Wilf made people aware of it; I don't think it is something he should keep quiet about.
"I think it is very good that our club, Aston Villa and the Premier League are doing everything they can to find out who this despicable individual is and one can only hope that they will get identified and they will get called to account and they will pay for these actions.
"There is literally no excuse; there is no excuse at all."
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