Sheffield Wednesday forward Jamal Lowe has revealed that his wife was targeted with racial abuse directed at him on social media. The offensive comments were repeatedly posted across his partner's Instagram photographs following the 32-year-old Jamaica international's dismissal in Tuesday's 2-0 defeat against Notts County. In response to the messages, the UK Policing Football Unit confirmed to BBC Sport that it is officially investigating the incident.
Lowe, who has registered five goals in 10 League One appearances this season, spoke out forcefully on his Instagram account regarding the harassment. "Bad performance or not, racially abusing a player from the team you 'support' is miles off it," Lowe stated. "Parents educate your kids, call out family members who display this type of sick behaviour. To think we're only one bad result away from being called a monkey is actually insane. This is happening way too often! Do better."
Sheffield Wednesday strongly condemned the behaviour in an official statement on Wednesday, stating that "racism is abhorrent" and "has no place in football or in society." The UK Policing Football Unit echoed that sentiment, noting there is no place for such abuse online or in person and warning that perpetrators cannot hide behind keyboards. The unit affirmed that its dedicated officers will do everything possible to bring the guilty parties to justice.
The incident represents the second time this year that an Owls player has been subjected to racial abuse following a match, following an April incident where an unnamed player received messages described as "disgraceful and completely unacceptable" after a 1-1 draw with Leicester. Wednesday, who took part in the EFL's Together Against Racism campaign last weekend, noted that this is not the first occurrence involving their squad, staff, and families this season. Previously in 2024, the club was hit with a £12,500 fine and an Owls supporter received a five-year ban after Coventry's Kasey Palmer was targeted with a racist gesture during a Championship fixture.