Hull City Condemns Racist Abuse of New Signing Robinio Vaz
Hull City’s unveiling of promising forward Robinio Vaz should have been a straightforward celebration of a major addition to their attack. Instead, the 19-year-old’s arrival has been overshadowed by a wave of racist abuse that has forced the club into a hard, public stance.
The Championship side announced the French striker’s season-long loan from Roma on social media on Tuesday. The post did not last long. It was deleted after vile messages flooded the replies, turning what should have been a welcome into a grim snapshot of the abuse that still stalks the modern game.
Hull’s response was immediate and uncompromising.
In a strongly worded statement, the club condemned the “abhorrent racist abuse” aimed at Vaz and confirmed they are working with Humberside Police and other authorities to track down those responsible. The club said it is seeking to “identify the accounts responsible for this disgusting abuse”, underlining that the matter has already moved beyond internal moderation and into the hands of law enforcement.
No individual should ever experience discriminatory abuse, and the club will provide Robinio with our full support,” the statement read, setting out a clear line in defence of their new signing.
Hull stressed that the incident has triggered action at the highest levels of the game’s infrastructure. Over the past 24 hours, the club has been in contact with the Premier League, anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out and the relevant social media companies, reinforcing its “zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of discrimination”.
The message to supporters was equally direct: stand up and speak out.
We stand with Robinio and encourage all supporters to continue to report any form of discrimination,” Hull added, pushing fans to play an active role in challenging abuse rather than simply watching it unfold on their screens.
For Vaz, this is a brutal introduction to English football. The teenager, who scored one Serie A goal for Roma last season, arrives at the MKM Stadium with clear potential and a deal that includes an option to buy at the end of the campaign. Hull see a long-term project; a young forward with pedigree from one of Europe’s biggest clubs, stepping into a league known for its intensity and unforgiving schedule.
Instead of talking solely about tactics, development and goals, the opening chapter of his Hull career has become a test of character and a test of football’s resolve.
The club has drawn its line. The next question is whether the authorities and platforms involved are prepared to match Hull City’s stance with action that actually changes what players like Robinio Vaz face when they log in.
