UEFA has announced that it will join a coalition of English footballing stakeholders, including the Football Association and the Premier League, by taking part in their three-day social media boycott.
The decision which is expected to begin on Friday, will run until Monday as effort to show solidarity in the fight against online abuse intensifies.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin gave his unequivocal backing to the initiative, saying that action needs to be taken to stop the spread of hate and online abuse directed at footballers and those involved with the game.
“There have been abuses both on the pitch and on social media. This is unacceptable and needs to be stopped, with the help of the public and legislative authorities and the social media giants. Allowing a culture of hatred to grow with impunity is dangerous, very dangerous, not only for football, but for society as a whole.
“This is why we are supporting this initiative. It is time for football to take a stand and I have been impressed with the solidarity shown by the players, clubs and stakeholders.
“I urge everyone – players, clubs and national associations – to lodge formal complaints whenever players, coaches, referees or officials are victims of unacceptable tweets or messages. We’ve had enough of these cowards who hide behind their anonymity to spew out their noxious ideologies.”
A number of Premier League footballers – including Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Axel Tuanzebe, West Brom’s Romaine Sawyers, Chelsea full-back Reece James and his sister, Manchester United forward Lauren James – have been subjected to abusive online messages in recent weeks.
