Thierry’s plea over web hate

THIERRY HENRY believes there is at last a “movement coming” to stop online abuse.

But the France and Arsenal legend (above) has criticised what he claims is an unwillingness from social media platforms to eradicate it.

Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha (below) became the latest player to receive racist hate online after Saturday’s 2-0 win at Manchester City.

Henry, who left social media in protest earlier this year, has teamed up with sportswear brand PUMA and online platform Game of Our Lives Foundation in a campaign focused on fighting for racial justice, gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights and sustainability.

At the campaign launch in Lisbon, Henry said: “A lot of stuff is being raised, way more than in my time – but it can be more.

“The way the football world is moving, I am not complaining. The game is moving together, this is why we had the boycott.

“The FA was very responsive and the football world all came together. Was it enough? I don’t think it was strong enough. But I can see a movement coming, people are talking about it, they are raising the problem, players are talking about it and asking for it to stop.

“It could be better, but before we were not even talking about it. Now people want to change.

“For me, it is an unwillingness. When they (social media platforms) want to do something about something they do it.

“If you try to put up a video you don’t have the rights for, you can’t do that. They have an algorithm and a way to stop it if they need to stop something that impacts their profits.

“Being kind, taking care of others, being a human doesn’t generate money. Wilfried Zaha is the latest one to suffer. They are going to have to come up with some answers.”