Elanga Confirms Nottingham Forest Exit, Citing Racism Behind the Scenes

Elanga Confirms Nottingham Forest Exit, Citing Racism Behind the Scenes

In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the football community, Nottingham Forest F.C. forward Anthony Elanga has confirmed that he will be leaving the club at the end of the current season. The 22-year-old Swedish international cited persistent experiences of racism within the club environment as the primary reason behind his decision to seek an exit.

Speaking in an exclusive interview released on Thursday evening, Elanga opened up about the challenges he has faced since joining Forest from Manchester United in the summer of 2023. The winger, who quickly became a fan favorite for his electrifying pace and relentless work ethic, admitted that while he felt the love and support of many fans, the internal club atmosphere painted a very different picture.

> “It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly,” Elanga began. “I’ve had great moments at Nottingham Forest, and I’ll always be grateful for the supporters who stood by me. But the truth is, I’ve been dealing with incidents behind the scenes that no professional — or person — should ever have to go through.”

Elanga did not name specific individuals or incidents but described an environment where he felt “repeatedly undermined and dehumanized” due to his race and background. He noted that attempts to raise concerns through internal channels were met with inaction and, at times, subtle retaliation.

> “I love the game. I live for football. But when the environment becomes toxic, when you’re made to feel small because of the color of your skin, it eats away at your passion,” Elanga said. “I kept quiet for a long time because I didn’t want to cause waves. But silence is not strength in situations like this.”

Sources close to the player suggest that Elanga had been documenting instances of racial microaggressions and exclusionary behavior for over a year, in the hope that raising these matters would lead to meaningful change. However, he reportedly became disillusioned with what he described as a “culture of denial and deflection” within the club’s management structure.

Nottingham Forest F.C. issued a brief statement following the news of Elanga’s departure, saying:

> “We are saddened by Anthony Elanga’s decision to leave the club at the end of the season. We take any allegations of discrimination seriously and are currently reviewing the matter. Nottingham Forest remains committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all players and staff.

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has already reached out to Elanga and is expected to offer support as he navigates the next steps in his career. A PFA spokesperson confirmed that the union is “deeply concerned” by Elanga’s testimony and is “seeking dialogue with Nottingham Forest to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.”

Elanga’s announcement has sparked widespread debate online, with many fans expressing solidarity and disappointment in equal measure. Prominent footballers, including former Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford and fellow Sweden international Alexander Isak, posted messages of support.

Rashford tweeted:

> “Proud of you for speaking your truth. No one should go through that. Football has to be better. We stand with you, bro.

Meanwhile, anti-racism organizations, including Kick It Out and Show Racism the Red Card, have called for an independent investigation into Elanga’s claims and urged clubs across the Premier League to reinforce their diversity and inclusion policies.

Elanga’s situation also reignites the broader conversation about racism in football — not just from fans in stadiums or online trolls, but within club hierarchies and locker rooms.

> “We often focus on overt racism, the kind that’s easy to condemn,” said Troy Townsend of Kick It Out. “But what Anthony Elanga is highlighting is the subtler, systemic kind — the exclusion, the coded language, the failure to protect players. This is the hard work football has yet to properly address.”

Elanga has not yet disclosed his next move, though there is already reported interest from clubs in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. For now, he says his focus remains on finishing the season professionally and supporting his teammates on the pitch.

> “I still want to give my all in these last games,” he said. “Because the shirt and the fans still mean something to me. But it’s time for a new chapter — one where I feel seen and respected.”

As the season draws to a close, Nottingham Forest now face not only the challenge of replacing one of their brightest attacking talents but also confronting a cultural reckoning that could define the club’s values moving forward.

The Premier League, for its part, has not yet commented on the case, but with increasing calls for accountability and reform, the pressure is mounting for football’s governing bodies to do more than just offer words — but to implement meaningful, lasting change.