Protest Against Racism: Professional Footballers to boycott social media for 24 hours

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling (Up left), Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi (down left) and Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (right) - Getty

Professional footballers in England and Wales are to boycott social media for 24 hours on Friday, to protest against the way social networks and football authorities respond to racism.


It follows a number of high-profile incidents in domestic and international matches this season.

Earlier this week, Manchester United captain Ashley Young was racially abused on Twitter.

And Watford captain Troy Deeney said "enough is enough".

"On Friday we are sending a message to anyone that abuses players - or anyone else - whether from the crowd or online, that we won't tolerate it within football," said Deeney, who disabled comments on his Instagram after abuse earlier this month.

"The boycott is just one small step, but the players are speaking out with one voice against racism."

Incidents of racist abuse in 2018-19

• December: Banana skin thrown on to the pitch during the north London derby at Emirates Stadium, after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored for Arsenal

• December: Raheem Sterling suffers alleged racial abused during Manchester City's defeat at Chelsea. Sterling later says newspapers are helping to "fuel racism" by the ways in which they portray young black footballers

• March: Chelsea lodge a complaint with Uefa over racist abuse aimed at Callum Hudson-Odoi during the second leg of their Europa League win at Dynamo Kiev. BBCSport