WILL NOT SEE BEST OF MY ROARING THIRTIES
Gareth wants players off social media during Euros
GARETH SOUTHGATE would urge his England stars to come off social media during the Euros – to avoid online abuse.
Ex-arsenal striker Thierry Henry yesterday suspended all of his personal online sites in protest at the failure of social media companies to police platforms against racist attacks.
The Three Lions chief, who said he has not used any personal online platform since his days as England Under-21s boss, said: “It’s something for all players, all high-profile people, who might receive that negative attention, to think about. It’s something, absolutely, for our players to consider.
‘‘Everyone has to think about it. Do you want to put yourself in that position and situation? I made a conscious decision to come off social media when I took the Under21 job.
”I didn’t think it would be the right platform to use – and I didn’t want to read the sort of messages I knew would be landing in my box.
“Similarly, when I‘m in camp, I try to switch off all media, which is not great for keeping up with what’s going on in the world.
“But the world is a happier place if I’m not seeing that negativity.
“If you spoke to every manager in the country, one of their biggest concerns is that after a game in the dressing room players are scrolling down their phone.
“It’s a vulnerable time for people just after they’ve played a game.
They are tired, fatigued – and what voice are they listening to?
“But if the companies in charge don’t seem to be controlling it, I totally understand why people would choose to come off the platforms.
“It’s not just high profile people, either. There are young kids who are getting bullied online.”
But, despite online abuse becoming an ever-increasing scourge in football and beyond, Southgate admitted he will not issue a blanket social media ban on his England players.
He said: “I don’t think you can make or force people into a decision.
“You can discuss it but they have the maturity to make their own decisions.
‘‘These boys have to live their lives and go their own path.’’