Soccer teams to shut down social media in abuse protest

Teams in the top two tiers of men's soccer in England and the Women's Super League are to stage a four-day boycott of social media from Friday in a protest against abusive and discriminatory behavior.

Earlier this month, Championship side Swansea City imposed its own temporary media blackout, but now all 20 sides in the English Premier League, 24 in the Championship and 12 in the Women's Super League will be taking action at the same time.

"This boycott signifies our collective anger," said Sanjay Bhandari, chairman of anti-discrimination group Kick it Out. "Social media is now, sadly, a regular vessel for toxic abuse.

"By removing ourselves from the platforms, we are making a symbolic gesture to those with power. We need you to act. We need you to create change."
Trevor Birch, chief executive of the English Football League, also gave the move his backing.

"While we recognize the value and role social media plays in our game, online abuse will not be tolerated and we will continue to strongly pursue all avenues open to us to affect change," he said.

"The boycott is only part of the work being undertaken in this area but further highlights the need for social media companies to take additional responsibility for the inappropriate and unwelcome behavior that appears on their platforms."

In March, former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry announced he was quitting social media, saying "the sheer volume of racism, bullying and resulting mental torture to individuals is too toxic to ignore".

Sheffield United's David McGoldrick told Sky Sports he supported the boycott, and compared the rapid rejection of the European Super League concept to the slow speed of action over online abuse.

"Something needs to happen; it is too easy to get racially abused on there," he said. "The Super League got cut off in 48 hours, why is racism on the back foot? It is bigger in my eyes."

But the move has not been met with universal praise, with some criticizing it as an empty gesture.

Former England and Liverpool striker Stan Collymore, who is now a high-profile media pundit and who has been the victim of internet trolls himself, called it "less than nothing" and also criticized the timing, over a public holiday weekend when people are less likely to be using social media.

"Those saying 'great idea' are unable to grasp the concept of social media racism being a consequence of dog whistle politics, poor education and rise of nationalism," he tweeted.

"Anyone out there in the "this will affect engagement" camp care to explain why this is being done on a Bank Holiday when many people will be doing anything other than using social media?"