SPORT STARS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF VILE AND VINDICTIVE POSTS FROM ANONYMOUS TROLLS...
THE vile abuse suffered by sportsmen and women has led to many having to leave social media, such has been the ferocity and unpleasantness of the attacks. It’s far from just footballers who have suffered from these keyboard warriors and, with new legislation in the offing, there is hope that the issue can be tackled head on. Here, Sportsmail highlights just some of those who have needlessly suffered across the world of sport...
JAMES TAVERNIER
Just this week, the Rangers captain revealed: ‘Every black player in our squad has been the victim of racist abuse this season, either online or in the case of Glen Kamara, on the field of play.’ The full-back cited his own personal experience, having shared racist messages sent to him on Instagram in April 2019. Rangers team-mate Kemar Roofe also spoke out last week about the racist abuse he suffered online.
ALFREDO MORELOS
The Rangers striker was targeted by trolls last summer whilst live streaming a video for fans on Instagram. The stream was an open forum, with Morelos then being sent racist messages and monkey emojis.
STUART HOGG
The Scotland rugby captain has distanced himself from social media more and more over the past year. Following a couple of high-profile errors in the opening two games of the 2020 Six Nations, Hogg was bombarded with abuse and negative comments on Twitter. He admitted that, previously in his career, he would have allowed it to get to him mentally. But he subsequently handed control of all his social-media accounts over to his agency last year and no longer engages with the trolls. Hogg said: ‘It was refreshing when I gave it up. It was only at the turn of the year (2020) I did it. I was terrible for searching my name. I did it many, many times. Practically after every single game I played. I stay away now. I don’t need the negativity. The best thing I’ve done is hand my Twitter over to my agency.’
ANDY MURRAY
Had to endure taunts online about his fitness and career prospects as he battled his way back from hip surgery. Murray (right) revealed last month that he has deleted many of his social-media accounts, saying: ‘Every time I lose a match, I’m getting told to retire, that I should stop playing, that I’m finished and got nothing left or whatever, and it’s sad and all of these things. ‘I don’t have Twitter on my phone and I deleted Instagram last week.’ LEANNE CRICHTON Former Scotland international and TV presenter explained last month how socialmedia abuse has caused her ‘anxiety and stress’. Crichton believes female pundits and presenters receive more abuse than male colleagues — based purely on looks. She said: ‘I tend not to go near social media now.’
FLORIAN KAMBERI
Aberdeen striker was targeted on Instagram in February, with one user sending him a message which said: ‘A can’t wait for the day u die’. NEIL LENNON The former Celtic manager was the victim of sectarian abuse on a regular basis throughout his time in Scottish football. After English referee Mike Dean was sent online death threats in February, Lennon said: ‘I’m sick of it. I’m fed up with it. I’m fed up with the racist abuse that players are suffering from as well. Or anybody in any walk of life. It’s disgusting.’
MARVIN BARTLEY
The Livingston captain has fought passionately against online abuse and has spoken candidly on the subject. Bartley has been the victim of racist hate speech throughout his time in Scottish football, going all the way back to his time at Hibs. After an Edinburgh derby against Hearts in 2017, one user on Twitter said they hoped Bartley would ‘die’. After a match which Hibs won 3-1, Bartley Tweeted back, saying: ‘Still alive and kicking pal, hope you’ve recovered from your stuffing last night.’