English football will boycott social media next weekend in response to discrimination and abuse against players, pundits and other members of the football community.
Authorities such as the Football Association, the Premier League, the English Football League, the FA Women’s Super League, the FA Women’s Championship, the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) and Kick It Out announced the decision in a joint statement.
The saying goes that “English football comes together to stress that social media companies need to do more to eradicate hate online, while stressing the importance of educating people in the continued fight against discrimination.”
This follows continued reports of racist and other abuse on social media.
Earlier this month, Swansea City Football Club announced a weeklong social media boycott, and Thierry Henry too left the platforms due to comments posted there.
In the joint letter, the organizations said the boycott was to take place “as part of a full schedule of matches in the professional men’s and women’s game and will see clubs from the Premier League, EFL, WSL and the women’s championship deactivate their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts “.
The letter added: “Finally, as football takes a stand, we urge the UK government to ensure its Online Safety Bill introduces strong legislation to make social media companies more accountable for what is happening on their platforms, as discussed at the DCMS Online Abuse roundtable earlier this week. “
The deputy for Jo Stevens, Labor’s shadow digital, culture, media and sports secretary, said: “The threats and racism facing footballers on social media are appalling, but sadly, this no longer surprises anyone.
“The only way to hold social media companies accountable for what appears on their platforms is to penalize senior executives. And yet, despite all their harsh rhetoric, the Conservatives …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-04-24 20:38:00
