MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 00:47:17| >> :120:10150:10150:

Wilfried Zaha calls on social media platforms to do more to prevent racist abuse

The 27-year-old is eager to make a difference in the fight against racism.

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has called on social media platforms Instagram and Twitter to do more to prevent people suffering racist abuse after admitting he is scared to look at his direct messages.

The Ivory Coast international was sent racist messages and imagery earlier on July 11 and a 12-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident.

West Midlands Police have since released the individual under investigation, but Zaha wants social media sites to do more.

"Even after I reported the abuse from the 12-year old, I reported 50 accounts," the 27-year-old told CNN.

"And I got racially abused after the stuff that I got before and it's like, what happens after that account gets blocked?

"Then they just make a new one straight after. I feel like with everything that we do in life, with everything we register to, we have to give some sort of ID, so why is it not the same with Instagram? Why is it not the same with Twitter?"

Zaha believes other black footballers are, like him, scared to use platforms like Instagram and Twitter because of the comments they will receive from other users.

He also recounted the first time he faced abuse online and expressed his wish to make a difference in the fight against racism – something Palace manager Roy Hodgson suggested the winger has the character to do.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson, left, praised Wilfried Zaha for calling out the racist abuse the winger received online
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson, left, praised Wilfried Zaha for calling out the racist abuse the winger received online (Simon Galloway/PA)

"I've had racial abuse all my life but it's a thing where for right now, I've got a platform where I feel like if I can make a change, I'll try," Zaha added.

"For black footballers for instance, being on Instagram is not even fun for us any more. You're not enjoying your profile because every time I'm scared to even look up my direct messages any more because it could be filled with anything.

"I don't even have Twitter on my phone any more because it's almost certain that you're going to get some sort of abuse."

Palace academy graduate Zaha felt sad for the 12-year-old who sent racist messages to him.

He added: "How is a 12-year-old even thinking about that? Where has that hate come from?

"I understand he's a 12-year-old and it's sad that it's a 12-year-old, but you got to be held accountable for the things that you say.

"The stuff that you said to me, ain't just 'Yeah, you black this...' This is Ku Klux Klan. I didn't even know about that stuff at the age of 12."

ID:408336: cacheID:408336:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6374:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish celebrates on July 26, 2020
Read Next:
Transfer window opens: Which Premier League players could be on the move?
>
Read more about Wilfried Zaha Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!