Prem stars protest over racial abuse
PFA LEAD TODAY’S SOCIAL MEDIA BOYCOTT
LEADING Premier League stars have backed a 24-hour social media boycott in protest at online racial abuse. The campaign, launched by the PFA, will urge players to stay off social media from 9am today. They are supporting players such as Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose, who have both been racially abused this season. The PFA have also asked social media companies to do more when it comes to tackling racism online. This follows Manchester United’s Ashley Young being racially abused online earlier this week.
PROFeSSIOnAL footballers in england have been urged to boycott social media for 24 hours in protest against the racist abuse suffered by some of their members.
the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) have moved to support stars such as tottenham defender Danny Rose, Manchester United’s Ashley Young and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling, and want social media companies to take more responsibility.
A PFA campaign entitled #enough is supported by players including United defender Chris Smalling, Leicester’s Wes Morgan and Watford captain troy Deeney. It will begin with calls for a boycott from 9am today.
Deeney said: ‘We are sending a message to anyone who abuses players — or anyone else — whether from the crowd or online, that we won’t tolerate it within football.
‘the boycott is just one small step but the players are speaking out with one voice against racism — enough is enough.’
Rose, who has said he ‘cannot wait’ to retire because racism in football is so rife, called on the game’s authorities to do more to combat the problem. he said: ‘When I said that I can’t wait to see the back of football, it is because of the racism that I, and many other players, have been subjected to our entire careers. Football has a problem with racism.
‘I don’t want any future players to go through what I’ve been through in my career. Collectively, we are simply not willing to stand by while too little is done by football authorities and social media companies to protect players from this disgusting abuse.’
After Manchester United’s Champions League defeat by Barcelona, Young was subjected to abuse on social media. Sterling is an outspoken critic of the abuse black footballers have suffered and the PFA believe he will be among those who stay off social media today.
Smalling said: ‘throughout my career I have developed a thick skin against verbal abuse, justifying it as just ‘ part of the game’ but the time has come for twitter, Instagram and Facebook to consider regulating their channels, taking responsibility for protecting the mental health of users regardless of age, race, sex or income. I understand that I am in an extremely privileged position and I am deeply thankful for that but, at the end of the day, we are all human. We have to take a greater stand against discrimination of all kinds.’
In a statement the PFA said: ‘Over the last few months, both domestically and internationally, there have been a number of high- profile racist incidents directed at players. the boycott acts as a show of unity by the players, and a call for stronger action to be taken by social networks and footballing authorities in response to racist abuse both on and off the pitch.’