Argyle condemn 'vile' racial abuse against Pepple

Plymouth Argyle say they are "appalled" by "vile" racial abuse received online by forward Aribim Pepple after their Vertu Trophy tie against Cheltenham Town on Tuesday.

The League One club said summer signing Pepple had shown them the abuse he had been sent across his social media platforms.

The Pilgrims added they have shared screenshots of the accounts and messages with police and Meta, which owns platforms including Facebook and Instagram.

New signing Pepple came on as a 55th-minute substitute in Argyle's 2-0 group-stage victory and had a penalty, that he himself won, saved in the 81st minute.

"We will do everything possible to support Bim and hold those responsible to account," a Plymouth statement, external said.

"Why did he receive these messages? Because he didn't score a penalty in a football match. We're all human.

"Why does Bim deserve to receive messages of this nature?

"Well, the answer is simple. He doesn't. Nor do any of our players or staff... the actions of small-minded individuals will never impact that, and we know the Green Army [Argyle's fanbase] will support Bim in any way he needs."

Pepple, who joined Argyle from Luton for an undisclosed fee in July, shared the club statement and some of the abuse he had received on his Instagram account.

The messages he shared appeared to come from users with no connection to either club involved in the tie.

Plymouth vowed to continue championing anti-racism activities across football including the English Football League's "Together Against Racism" campaign but said the message "clearly isn't getting through".

"We won't stop until it does," the statement added. "Before you send that message, just think. Think about the person who reads it.

"Bim, we are all with you. You are part of the Argyle family and have the full support of everyone at the football club."

In recent years, a number of footballers have highlighted the racial abuse they have received, particularly online.

England defender Jess Carter revealed she had been a target for such vitriol during Euro 2025 in July.

As a result, the Lionesses stopped participating in the anti-racism gesture of taking a knee before matches as they argued it was "clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism".

After Tottenham said they were "disgusted" by racial abuse received by forward Mathys Tel following their Uefa Super Cup defeat by Paris St-Germain in August, anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said accountability from both the offenders and social media companies is "not being met".

"If you're a black player, it would be totally understandable to think, 'Why would I want to take a penalty?'" the group said.

"That's the state of the game right now and the sad fact is it's nothing new.

"Football bodies, authorities and the regulator, Ofcom, must come together to accelerate a plan that better protects players.

"Their welfare should always be paramount, and we stand with... all those who have suffered this continuing, racist abuse."

The Premier League stepped in to have 1,500 abusive posts removed from various social media accounts last season.

Premier League sources said the move was made possible by the direct intervention of a dedicated, specialist support team and action taken through work with UK and international law enforcement.