Racists must be found and charged
IT IS hard to convey what it is like to be enjoying a day off with your family, as I was last Sunday, walking on the beach with my wife and son, to have your phone bleep with a notification. Then, when you check it, it is racial abuse. It feels like your personal space has been invaded, as if your precious family time has been ruined. The racial abuse I received last Sunday was an unprovoked attack, a post attached to a photo from a month ago. No racial abuse is ever acceptable, but the random nature of this felt even more malign.
I didn’t want my day to be dominated by something so ugly, so I took a screenshot of the abuse and posted it with the ironic comment: ‘Happy Sunday’. And after that I continued with my day. When I looked at my phone later, I was overwhelmed. The support I received from so many people was hugely heartening. If there can be a positive from such a malicious event, it is the reminder that the majority are decent and shocked on your behalf. I want publicly to thank everyone who offered support.
Bristol Rovers couldn’t have been more supportive. They told me they were on it already and the police were investigating. From the boardroom down, I had support and at training on Monday morning, everyone was checking in on me.
On Tuesday, when Rovers played Oxford, both teams took the knee before the game. On this occasion the teams gathered around the centre circle to demonstrate unity. I don’t understand why people object to that.
It isn’t a big parade, it barely takes any time out of anyone’s day. In the light of what is going on, it’s an important statement to make in support of justice.
There are thousands of others to whom this is happening all the time, random members of the public who might be receiving worse abuse than me and who wouldn’t receive the support I had. That’s why I’m writing now and campaigning for tougher guidelines. We’re speaking up for them.
By the time I got home that Sunday people had swung into action. All I had to do was give a statement to the police. Predictably though, the account had been deleted.
This is where the responsibility falls on the social media firms. I want an end to anonymous accounts, so there is accountability.
They can still do more to help police. Why is the IP address not reported to the police? That would let the police investigate and knock on the door of the address from where the abuse is sent. That’s what we need.
Racial abuse is now common and identification and accountability would be a deterrent. It would at least stop thousands of people receiving abuse.
Some people say players or football clubs should boycott social media. But social media is a tool which is everywhere and important for some people’s livelihoods. Footballers are being asked to withdraw from that area of life, as if it’s their responsibility. The responsibility lies with the social media companies to correct this.
We have to build a culture where if you want to say something, you have to take responsibility for it. Criticism is to be expected as a professional footballer. But racial abuse is against the law. And if you break the law, then you need to expect a knock on the door.