FOOTBALLERS could end up killing themselves if social media firms fail to tackle racist trolls, retired players have warned MPs.
A Commons committee asked ex-stars for their experiences of online racism following the horrific abuse of black England players after the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 defeat.
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Marvin Sordell told a committee about the online abuse he suffered Credit: PA 3
Anton Ferdinand issued a dire warning about the consequences of trolling Credit: PA
Former QPR defender Anton Ferdinand warned: “Are [social media firms] waiting for a high profile footballer to kill themselves?
"Because if that is what they are waiting for that is too late. Let's deal with the issue now.”
Marvin Sordell — who retired aged just 28 after online abuse — told MPs: “The ease at which people can get away with it has made people want to do this more.
"They have a free hit to damage someone at their very core, which for us here, is racial abuse.”
They have a free hit to damage someone at their very core.
Marvin Sordell
The Professional Footballers’ Association said it had flagged abuse to Twitter — but the racist accounts stayed online.
Simone Pound, Director of Equality, at the PFA said: “Unfortunately, a number of those accounts were not taken down after three months of us sharing the information. Whilst we are giving them information, it is not being actioned as well as it should be."
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The inquiry looks into the abuse of black England players during the Euros Credit: Getty 'Monkey' footie rap
A FOOTBALL fan who called black England players “monkeys” online has appeared in court.
Scott McCluskey posted the Facebook message shortly after England’s Euro final defeat in July.
The 43-year-old, of Runcorn, Cheshire, admitted sending an offensive or abusive message.
District Judge Nicholas Sanders warned him at Warrington magistrates’ court, Cheshire, he faced “a deterrent sentence” and adjourned for reports.
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Gareth Bale says countries with racist fans should be kicked out by Uefa and ‘they’ll learn their lesson that way’