Football has sent 'powerful message' over rampant social media abuse

Published on: 04 May 2021

English football clubs have warned that they will not hesitate to resume their boycott of social media over persistent abuse after ending their four-day protest.

English football and cricket clubs, plus those from a variety of other sports and institutions, boycotted Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for four days after years of persistent abuse.

Clubs, players and governing bodies stayed off social media across the weekend in an attempt to tackle abuse and discrimination on the platforms.

The boycott ensured that several football fans turned to other avenues like australianonlinecasinosites for entertainment and fun while the clubs and players pressed ahead by carrying their threat.

After the boycott ended at 23.59 BST on Monday, Manchester United said they will keep challenging discrimination.

"Our commitment to combatting online abuse will always continue," they said in a statement on social media.

Fellow Premier League club Villa tweeted: "We have sent a powerful and united message. We sincerely hope the message is heard, understood and positive changes are made."

Leicester also tweeted a video of their men's and women's players calling for the end of discrimination and online abuse.

Formula 1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, plus other sports such as rugby union, cricket, rugby league and netball also joined the protest.

All those taking part boycotted Twitter, Facebook and Instagram from 15:00 BST on Friday, 30 April.

Players and athletes across all sports continue to be subjected to racist abuse, with some clubs contacting police over the level of aggression.

Football fans across the world turned to best high roller casino when the highly patronised social media outlets suffered a blackout of social media content.

The Premier League released a statement prior to the four-day silence, saying it would not stop challenging companies "until discriminatory online abuse is removed from our game and wider society".

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday, Watford striker Andre Gray said the protest alone was "definitely not enough".

"I understand why clubs have decided to do it to try and do something and I respect that," he said.

"But I think boycotting things is not the way forward. I don't think it's going to change because come Saturday it's just going to go back to normal.

"The same energy needs to be put into fighting racism as it was into the whole Super League."

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