Social media abuse affects Liam’s family
RUGBY star Liam Williams says social media abuse doesn’t affect him as he has “a rhino skin” – but it hurts his family.
The Lions full-back came in for some outrageous attacks following the yellow card he received in the latter stages of Wales’ heartbreaking defeat to France in Paris, which denied them the Six Nations Grand Slam.
Now Williams has addressed the issue in his BBC column.
“The WRU wanted to highlight this abuse and publicly show some of the examples I received and I agreed. This should not be happening,” he said.
“I want to stress to these cowards who abuse people on social media: it does not affect me personally because I have rhino skin and am strong mentally. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me.
“They can say what they want, it is not me that it hurts. It’s my mum, dad, sister, brother and nephew and that is not nice to see.
“I have seen comments like players should come off social media if they don’t like it, but you should not
have to do that because of abuse.
“I have also seen two Welsh footballers being racially abused this week. These things should not happen.
“It has to stop because remember what we are receiving abuse for – playing for our country.
“The WRU deserves credit for taking the stand and the message had the desired effect. I have had a lot of love over the last week, it is refreshing to see and means a lot to me and the Wales squad.
“Some of the messages I have had from children from a few schools, with the encouragement of their teachers, has been amazing.
“Some of the videos we have received have been brilliant and me and my fiancée Sophie have been watching them all.”
Williams has also spoken about the controversial yellow card he received against France, with referee Luke Pearce ruling he had gone off his feet.
“There was not a ruck any more and there was nobody in that ruck anyway, so it was open play as far I was concerned,” he said.
“The consequence was Taulupe Faletau was in the sin-bin already with the amount of penalties given against us, so we had 13 men on the field.
“The feeling in the changing room after was terrible. Heads were in hands and an eerie silence.”
Wales did, however, have the significant compensation of being crowned Six Nations champions following France’s defeat by Scotland.
‘‘ They can say what they want, it is not me that it hurts. It’s my mum, dad, sister, brother and nephew and that is not nice to see
– Liam Williams