I AM all for free speech and freedom of expression. But you wouldn’t go up to a stranger in the street, shout vile abuse – or threaten them – and expect to get away with it.
So why if you hide behind a screen is it somehow acceptable? It is not… and an urgent clampdown is required, as this has gone on far too long.
A survey showed that in one weekend alone last month, over 2,000 abusive social media messages were sent to Prem and WSL players and managers.
They included death and rape threats, racism, homophobia and sexism.
Yet the police and social media companies seem strangely reluctant to do anything about it.
Most abuse targeted managers — with Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, Liverpool chief Arne Slot and Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim the most common victims.
Amorim tries to protect his family by avoiding social media. He said: “Nowadays, it’s normal. I don’t read it. It’s a way of me being healthy.”
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Slot is the same, saying: “I do not have social media so don’t see it. Yet I’m not stupid, I know it is there.”
As for the women’s game, astonishingly half of the online abuse sent to WSL players and managers that weekend was directed at Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor.
She correctly called out social media giants for doing little — or nothing — about it.
I’ve also been targeted and I don’t know any prominent people in the game who have not suffered similar abuse.
Social media platforms argue the right to free speech makes them reluctant to act. Yet legislation brought in two years ago explicitly puts a duty of care on to these companies.
Online abuse is on the rise, warn data-science specialists Signify, who helped with last month’s survey, pointing to a 25 per cent year-on-year increase.
You should be able to express political views which not everyone will agree with. That’s proper free speech.
But nobody should be allowed to get away with posting the likes of this: “Kill Amorim — someone get that dirty Portuguese,” after United drew 2-2 with Spurs.
The PFA rightly say if this was used on the streets, there would be criminal consequences.
Players and managers are often very well paid and I suspect there is an element of jealousy.
Yet no one should face vile abuse just for doing the job they love.
And, let’s be honest, these platforms are not neutral observers.
Their algorithms reward outrage — as outrage drives clicks.
We cannot allow this to be the reality our kids grow up with
Karren Brady
Until the business model changes, abuse will continue. Younger supporters see this behaviour and think its part of football culture.
Girls and women receive sexually aggressive abuse — putting off many from entering or staying in the game.
We cannot allow this to be the reality our kids grow up with. Social media firms must be held to account — and cancel any user who directs such filth.
There should also be mandatory ID verification behind each account (even if the username remains anonymous to the public), faster reporting responses, automatic bans and transparency about what action is taken and why.
The police must use their powers, too. We need a culture where bystanders report abuse, rather than scroll past it, where platforms stop amplifying it, and where offenders face real consequences.
This is a big own goal in our society — and it has to stop.
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