FIFA backs English players’ social media boycott over racism

FIFA is backing a 24-hour social media boycott by professional players in England in a protest against racial abuse and revealed plans for a new global campaign to eradicate discrimination in soccer.

Following a series of highprofile cases in recent weeks, the Professional Footballers' Association has gathered support from Premier League stars to stay off Twitter, Facebook and Instagram from 9 a.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday as they push for a crackdown on racist messages.

FIFA said that it was listening to the concerns of players and supporting their decision to put pressure on social media companies to take stronger action against racism by not posting for a day.

"We applaud the initiative of the English professional football players," FIFA said in a statement to The Associated Press.