Allardyce backs Swansea stance on social media
SAM ALLARDYCE has backed Swansea’s boycott of social media and believes the fight against online abuse would benefit by the whole of English football following suit.
But Allardyce says he understands how the deep financial concerns of clubs amid the coronavirus pandemic could prevent that from happening.
Swansea have decided not to post any social media content for seven days, with the Sky Bet Championship club declaring “enough is enough” after months of players being targeted online.
Three Swansea players – Yan Dhanda, Ben Cabango and Jamal Lowe – have been among that number and the club’s chief executive Julian Winter has written to Twitter and Facebook urging the introduction of tougher policing and punishments for those found guilty of sending online abuse.
Swansea’s Championship rivals Birmingham joined them on Thursday evening, with the Blues saying they would not be posting across official channels for seven days.
West Brom boss Allardyce said: “I would like an accumulation of football clubs across the board to all do it together.
“That would for me be the only way that a difference may be made, if a united front was put up by all 92 professional clubs.
“But, of course, if that meant losing revenue over survival and, trying to help on these abusive messages, the money may override that unfortunately.
“There’s a lot of people in a lot of trouble financially because of the pandemic. So if they don’t go that way I can understand it.”
Brighton’s former Swansea manager Graham Potter congratulated his old club over their stance on social media.
“I support their decision because it’s based on what they know about their club and what’s the right thing to do for their players,” Potter said.
“Congratulations to them for making a stand and deciding what is right for them. I certainly wouldn’t be against it.”
Fulham manager Scott Parker and Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl both supported Swansea’s decision and urged social media companies to police platforms better.
Parker said of social media: “I don’t want to engage in it.
“It gives people a platform to make stupid comments that I don’t want to be around, listen to and hold no value to me whatsoever.”