FA ready to back clubs’ boycott bid

THE Football Association could follow Rangers and English Football League clubs in boycotting social media as part of a blanket blackout.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal there is a growing desire from clubs up and down the country to hold a league-wide boycott of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to put the platforms under pressure to do more following a rise in online abuse.

English top-flight clubs have already discussed a collective action ahead of a meeting of football’s key stakeholders next week.

Swansea led the way as they announced on Thursday that the club, players and staff would come off social media for seven days. The English Championship side said enough is enough after three of their players — Jamal Lowe, Yan Dhanda and Ben Cabango — were subjected to racist abuse this season.

They were soon joined by fellow Championship side Birmingham City as well as Rangers, while Reading captain Liam Moore deactivated his Twitter account after being racially abused.

Liverpool trio Trent AlexanderArnold, Naby Kieta and Sadio Mane were targeted after their midweek defeat to Real Madrid.

Following Swansea’s decision, The Mail on Sunday asked all remaining 91 English league clubs as well as the Premier League, EFL and FA whether they would consider a boycott.

There was a strong consensus among those who responded that a joint action would send the strongest message. A boycott will be discussed at meeting of the Premier League, EFL and other bodies such as Kick It Out scheduled for early next week.

The FA confirmed that they would consider joining clubs in a boycott if a blanket ban is decided. ‘We fully support any club or player that wishes to take a stand against any form of discrimination in a respectful manner, including the boycott of social media,’ a spokesman told The Mail on Sunday.

‘Creating a game that is free from discrimination remains a core priority for our organisation and we will continue to use our platforms to openly challenge online hate.

‘We are in regular dialogue with other English football authorities and, if it is felt collectively that a boycott of social media would achieve the desired effect in leading to tangible change, it is something we would consider.’

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho and Aston Villa manager Dean Smith on Friday backed calls for a mass boycott, while Arsenal and Manchester United have also launched their own clubspecific anti-abuse campaigns.