Bale calls for drastic action

I would join boycott of social media to end racist abuse

Gareth Bale said he would join a mass boycott of social media by high-profile figures to “make a statement” about the problem of online abuse.

Two of Bale’s Wales team-mates, Rabbi Matondo and Ben Cabango, were racially abused on Instagram after the national side’s 1-0 win over Mexico on Saturday. The England squad could implement a social media blackout during the European Championship this summer, but Bale has backed a mass boycott.

“Something needs to happen,” Bale said. “If everyone came together and decided to boycott social media to make a statement [I would join].

“If everybody did it at once, not just one or two people, and if we did a campaign with a lot of influential people in sport and other forms of life coming off social media to make a statement, then yeah, I think it could help. If that was the case, I would be all for that.”

Bale’s comments come after Thierry Henry put further pressure on social media companies last week by announcing that he would quit the platforms in response to the constant attacks.

Police are investigating the abuse received by Matondo and Cabango, who are both 20, and the Football Association of Wales has said it is “disgusted” by the situation.

Matondo has since been sent home from the Wales camp, along with Hal Robson-kanu and Tyler Roberts, for breaching protocol. The trio are believed to have broken a curfew imposed on the squad.

Speaking ahead of his country’s World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic tonight, Bale also moved to clarify his club future, after saying last week he planned to return to Real Madrid once his loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur ended this summer.

“Legally, my contract says I have to go back to Real Madrid,” Bale said. “I don’t think I was being disrespectful to anybody. Come the summer, I will be going back. Then I sit down with my agent and decide.”

Tonight’s meeting with the Czech Republic marks an important moment as Wales are in danger of falling behind their opponents and Belgium in their qualifying group.

Striker Kieffer Moore will be available, despite struggling with a heel problem. The Cardiff City striker scored against Mexico before being withdrawn at half-time.