PFA: Social media response unacceptable

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“Some members received racist abuse on their #Enough posts. When these incidents were reported, the response from social networks was – again – unacceptable”

Last Updated: 20/04/19 1:31pm

The PFA launched the #Enough campaign on Friday morning The PFA launched the #Enough campaign on Friday morning

The PFA launched the #Enough campaign on Friday morning

The Professional Footballers’ Association says it will request meetings with social media platforms following their “unacceptable” response to racist abuse received by some of its members.

The players’ union says a number of footballers were subjected to racism on their #Enough campaign posts, a movement launched to increase the pressure on social media companies and football authorities to take stronger action on the issue.

Footballers were encouraged to boycott all forms of social media between 9am on Friday, April 19, to 9am on Saturday, April 20, in response to the increased levels of racist abuse aimed at them.

Responding to the campaign, a number of social media platforms declared their commitment to removing racist comments online as soon as possible, but their response to the latest wave of abuse has not been good enough, according to the PFA.

“Players, members, clubs and fans involved in the #Enough campaign have sent a powerful message to social media companies and football’s sanctioning bodies worldwide – #EnoughIsEnough,” read a statement on Twitter.

“Yesterday, some members received racist abuse on their #Enough posts. When these incidents were reported, the response from social networks was – again – unacceptable.

“In the coming days, we will be inviting players to report any racist abuse they have received to us. We will collate it and share it with social platforms to demonstrate the impact of their lack of action.

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Former West Brom boss Darren Moore encouraged support for the PFA’s #Enough campaign

Former West Brom boss Darren Moore encouraged support for the PFA’s #Enough campaign

“We will be requesting meetings with each of the social platforms as a matter of priority. Meetings with the The Football Association and Government are planned for next month.

“This is a first step in a larger player-led campaign to tackle racism and demand meaningful change.”

Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Wilfried Zaha, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jermain Defoe, Yannick Bolasie, Gareth Bale and England Women’s captain Steph Houghton were among those who took part in the boycott on Friday.

Sky Sports also halted its social media operations for 24 hours in support of the PFA’s campaign.

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