STRIKER RACIALLY ABUSED IN LATEST SOCIAL MEDIA ROW
MORGAN Whittaker has become the latest footballer to call for action from social media companies after he suffered racial abuse following Swansea’s victory over Derby at the weekend.
The 20-year-old striker was targeted after scoring against his former club and is the fourth Swans player to be racially abused on social media since February.
The abuse came on the weekend when football clubs and other sporting bodies were boycotting social media because of a lack of action in combatting the issue.
Whittaker wrote on Twitter: “I am disappointed, but not surprised. I will always be proud of my skin colour, no matter what. Social media has to do something to stop this kind of abuse from happening.”
Whittaker’s teammates Yan Dhanda, Ben Cabango and Jamal Lowe have all suffered recent racial abuse online.
Swansea said in a statement this week: “Swansea City is saddened, angry and appalled by vile racist abuse received by Morgan Whittaker via social media following Saturday’s game against Derby County.
“The abuse in question has been reported to South Wales Police and the club is assisting them in their investigation.
“The fact that this has happened across a period where clubs, players and stakeholders have come together for a boycott of social media for this very reason again shows just how much work still needs to be done.
“Morgan is sadly the fourth Swansea City player to suffer such abhorrent and disgraceful abuse online since February - a damning indictment on the world we live in.
“As a club, we will continue to strive for change, urging social media companies to take strong action and implement real change on their platforms that will enable its users to open their accounts and not have to worry about what they might find.
“Chief executive Julian Winter recently wrote to both Twitter and Facebook, the latter replying with examples of how they try to combat online abuse.
“But, with such vile incidents appearing on a daily basis, stronger action is clearly required.
“Morgan has the full and unwavering support of everyone at Swansea City, and our message remains clear. Enough is enough.”
A statement from South Wales Police said: “South Wales Police is investigating the origin of racially motivated social media posts aimed at a Swansea City footballer following the club’s match against Derby County this weekend.
“South Wales Police has designated football liaison officers who work with clubs throughout the force area to help prevent and deter crime and anti-social behaviour.
“Tackling hate crime has always been a priority for South Wales Police - this behaviour is something that will not be tolerated in our community.
“The force takes hate crime seriously and works closely with those involved in football to raise awareness of hate crime amongst players and supporters.”
Swansea took a stand against online abuse and discrimination on April 8 by not posting any social media content for seven days.
The Welsh club called for social media platforms to introduce tougher policing and punishments for those found guilty of sending online abuse.
Birmingham and Rangers quickly supported Swansea’s stance of a seven-day social media boycott, and on Friday much of the sporting world followed suit.
The boycott - which started at 3pm on Friday and ran until 11.59pm on Monday - saw a coalition of football’s largest governing
‘‘ “I am disappointed, but not surprised. I will always be proud of my skin colour, no matter what
- Morgan Whittaker
bodies and organisations, including the Football Association, Premier League and EFL, among those to go silent on social media in a show of solidarity against online abuse.
European governing body UEFA also joined in, as well as Scottish and Irish football, England Rugby, Scottish Rugby, British Cycling, the Rugby Football League, British Horseracing, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Lawn Tennis Association, International Tennis Federation and others.
Prince William, who is president of the FA, and seven-time Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton also pledged their support by joining the boycott.
Reach plc, publishers of the South Wales Evening Post, also joined the boycott.