SAINTS defensive duo Kyle Walker-Peters and Armel Bella-Kotchap have spoken out after suffering racist abuse online following their side’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

In the wake of the hard-fought stalemate, Walker-Peters’ past Instagram posts were subject to multiple racist comments leading to a strong statement of condemnation from Saints.

Police are investigating the incidents and now Walker-Peters and Bella-Kotchap - who also faced racist abuse in the hours following the Old Trafford match - have each shared their thoughts on their private social media accounts.

Posting Monday evening, Walker-Peters wrote: “Proud of a hard-earned point in a tough game at Old Trafford. Especially since we feel we could have had a bit more. It was a big effort from everyone. Thank you to the travelling supporters especially who made the journey to help push us on.

“On a personal level, the racial abuse I received is something that no player or person should ever have to experience. We need to be better, and this is bigger than just football. More needs to be done to prevent this from happening time and time again. Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support since, I appreciate each and every one of you.

“Finally, to @garnacho7 (Alejandro Garnacho) it would never be my intention to injure a fellow professional. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you back in action as soon as possible.”

The Manchester United winger, who left Old Trafford on crutches after a clean tangle with Walker-Peters, responded in support of the Saints man, saying: “more than football🙌🏽 thank you very much for the message brother, this is part of football❤️”

Meanwhile, Bella-Kotchap confirmed that he too had suffered racist abuse and pleaded for increased personal accountability in tackling racism, writing:

“All people are born free and equal. All people in our diverse society should feel safe and free. To achieve that, everyone has to get involved and take action against racism. Because the best remedy against racism is ourselves. 

“Yesterday I was the victim of several racist statements that hit me. We all have to take racism personally, even if we are not directly affected. Much love, Armel Bella Kotchap.”

Released on Monday morning, the statement from the club read: "In February 2021 the club made a statement about one of our young players receiving abhorrent racial abuse following a match against Manchester United.

"More than two years on, we find ourselves in the exact same position: disgusted and disappointed in the behaviour of those online who lower themselves to abusing players for the colour of their skin.

"What is equally frustrating is the lack of meaningful action in those two years from the social media platforms who allow such hatred to breed and fester.

"As we have said before, Southampton Football Club fights every day to remove such people from our sport and our community in order to protect our players, our staff, Southampton fans and those football supporters around the world who recognise and celebrate the diversity that makes football special.

"We have forwarded the messages concerned to Hampshire Police in keeping with our normal processes when dealing with these cases.

"We have also reported these posts to the social media platforms involved.

"We can only hope that they finally pay attention to what continues to be a major problem and that we do not find ourselves repeating these words in another two years time."