Derby's Kazim-Richards suffers disgusting racist abuse on Instagram

Colin Kazim-Richards becomes latest player to suffer disgusting racist abuse on Instagram following Derby’s draw with Nottingham Forest… and club reveal incident has made forward talk with his own children about abuse

• Colin Kazim-Richards scored Derby’s equaliser against Nottingham Forest 
• But he was subjected to online abuse in the hours after the East Midlands derby 
• Derby have reported the abuse to Instagram, Kick It Out and Derbyshire Police 
• But the club also revealed the forward spoke to his children about the abuse 

Colin Kazim-Richards has become the latest example of a footballer receiving vile abuse on social media after his Instagram account was targeted by racist comments.

The 34-year-old scored the equaliser for Derby with six minutes remaining after Nottingham Forest’s James Garner’s had put the visitors into the lead in Friday night’s East Midlands derby.

Kazim-Richards – who has 37 caps for Turkey – was targeted in the hours following the game from Instagram accounts, and the Rams have therefore reported the abuse to Instagram, Kick It Out and Derbyshire Police.

Colin Kazim-Richards received vile abuse on Instagram after Derby’s match on Friday night

The club revealed he felt he had to explain the reasons behind the abuse to his young children

In a statement, Derby revealed the abuse has caused Kazim-Richards – who signed a one-year extension to his Pride Park deal earlier this month – being forced to explain to his young children why he was being targeted by the disgusting comments.

‘Derby County Football Club is disgusted to have learned that one of its players has been racially abused via social media,’ the statement read.

‘It was brought to the club’s attention on Saturday morning that Colin Kazim-Richards had received racially abusive messages via his social media platforms.

‘The abuse received by Colin resulted in him having to have a conversation with his young children to explain why, in this day and age, racism and discrimination still exists.

The 34-year-old forward scored Derby’s equaliser in the derby against Nottingham Forest

‘It should be clear, there is no place in sport or society for racism. Derby County has a zero-tolerance stance to discrimination and prejudiced behaviour and the racial abuse has been reported to the relevant authorities.

‘Social media abuse is, sadly, becoming more common and it is all too easy for individuals to hide behind an account. This cannot continue.

‘The club has a long-standing commitment to striving for equality and diversity, not only in football but in society, and strongly supports several nationwide campaigns as well as staging its own work in the local community.

‘We are united in celebrating our diversity and we stand proudly with Colin, and all our players, to make it categorically clear that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.’

The Rams have also reported the abuse to Instagram, Kick It Out and Derbyshire Police

Kazim-Richards – who was born in London – opened up on the racism that forced him out of English football last year.

‘I’ve had a very good career but it has been affected by my obstinate stance on all types of racism, bullying and oppressive behaviour,’ he told The Mirror.

‘I suffered abuse at the hands of football club supporters, teachers, police, coaches and managers and political systems all my life.

‘I can look back now and say that if I just sat and took it like a good boy. I could have been able to achieve top status in the UK. Would I go back and do it differently? No way.’

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