Four arrested in hunt for vile football racists
SOCIAL media giants are helping to track down the racists who abused England’s Euro 2020 stars, it was revealed yesterday, as police said they had so far arrested four suspects.
The companies are handing detectives details of accounts used to slur Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after Sunday’s final.
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook were all criticised for failing to swiftly remove vile abuse aimed at the trio.
And Boris Johnson yesterday reiterated his determination to force them to crack down on online hate.
He said: “They do have the technology to sort this out. They can adjust their algorithms. And we will use legislation if we have to.”
The PM warned social media chiefs on Tuesday they could face fines amounting to 10 per cent of their global revenue if they did not act to remove abuse.
Yesterday Mark Roberts, Chief Constable of Cheshire, said the firms are now “working very closely” with the UK Football Policing Unit . He added: “The racial abuse aimed at our own players following Sunday night’s game is utterly vile and has shocked and appalled people across the country. Our England team have been true role models during the tournament...I’m disgusted there are individuals who think it’s acceptable to direct such abhorrent abuse at them, or anybody else.” Greater Manchester Police said they had arrested a 37-year-old, from Ashton upon Mersey. He is reportedly Andy Bone, a commercial manager for estate agents Savills. Mr Bone, who contacted police himself, said his Twitter account was hacked by a “third party” who posted abuse after Sunday’s final. More arrests are likely.
Chief Constable Roberts warned trolls: “If we identify you are behind this crime, we will track you down and you will face the consequences of your shameful actions.”
Meanwhile, Channel 4 has commissioned Football Trolls – a documentary about online racism presented by former player Jermaine Jenas.
He said: “I’ve felt sick to my stomach reading the comments and chants and promise to make it my mission to help create positive change.”