The incident, which TV cameras showed of a fan allegedly making a monkey gesture, occurred during the second half of the Sky Blues’ 2-1 win against the Owls at Hillsborough. Palmer, 27, was left visibly upset and made referee Anthony Backhouse as well as fellow players aware. After the match, Wednesday confirmed anyone “found culpable” would face the “strictest possible sanctions”.
Following statements of condemnation by both clubs, Palmer took to X (formerly Twitter) to post: “Disappointed to even have to come on here and write this. Racism is a disgrace…it has no place in the world, let alone football.
“I’m black and proud, and I am raising my three kids to be the exact same. I’ll be honest, it feels like things will never change, no matter how hard we try. Couple fans doing monkey chants don’t define a fan base – I appreciate all the love and support I’ve received.”
South Yorkshire police confirmed on Sunday afternoon an investigation into the incident is now taking place. They explained: “An investigation has been launched into alleged racially aggravated abuse following Sheffield Wednesday vs Coventry City. It’s believed a Coventry player was subjected to racial abuse during the match. We will be working alongside the clubs and West Midlands Police to understand the circumstances and identify those involved.”
Coventry owner Doug King added: “We completely condemn the abuse aimed at Kasey today and will support him following this incident. There is no place for this in football or society and we support Sheffield Wednesday and the authorities in taking the strongest possible action.”
Meanwhile, Coventry boss Mark Robins said after the game: “Obviously there has been a ridiculous few people that have decided to do whatever they’ve done. They’ve made some racist remarks or comments and that should be dealt with.
“Hopefully they will get it on camera and they will deal with them. There’s just no place for it. It’s ridiculous in this day and age. Just grow up!”
Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri added: “We absolutely condemn the abuse reported by Kasey Palmer today and stand together with Coventry in our clear stance that there is no place in football or society for such appalling behaviour.”
Wednesday’s statement read: “Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City are shocked and saddened by the racist gesture from the stands reported by Sky Blues player Kasey Palmer during today’s game at Hillsborough.
“Both clubs roundly condemn any form of discrimination and abuse, and underline that there is no place for this kind of behaviour in football or our wider society. We will work together with the relevant authorities and anyone proven to be culpable will face the strictest possible sanctions from both Sheffield Wednesday and the law.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Coventry City and the football world in stamping out this abhorrent and wholly unacceptable behaviour.”
The incident came on the same day AC Milan walked off the pitch against Udinese after keeper Mike Maignan was targeted with racist abuse from the crowd.
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