MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 12:43:12| >> :120:10619:10619:

Marcus Rashford becomes latest player to receive online abuse

Marcus Rashford said messages he was sent after Manchester United's draw at Arsenal showed "humanity and social media at its worst".

The Football Association has vowed to work with the Government and social media platforms to eradicate racism from the game, with Manchester United's Marcus Rashford the latest player to be targeted by online abuse.

Following his side's goalless draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening, Rashford chose not to share screenshots of the offensive messages he had been sent post-match as "it would be irresponsible to do so".

He tweeted: "Humanity and social media at its worst. Yes I'm a black man and I live every day proud that I am.

"No one, or no one comment, is going to make me feel any different. So sorry if you were looking for a strong reaction, you're just simply not going to get it here.

"I'm not sharing screenshots. It would be irresponsible to do so and as you can imagine there's nothing original in them.

"I have beautiful children of all colours following me and they don't need to read it. Beautiful colours that should only be celebrated."

Chelsea defender Reece James, West Brom's Romaine Sawyers and United duo Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial have also been targeted this week.

And the FA has reiterated its commitment to clamping down on discrimination of all kinds.

A statement released on the FA's official Twitter account said: "We are united with all of football in our abhorrence of any racist abuse. This is not acceptable in any part of society.

"We will continue to work with the rest of the game, the government and social media platforms to remove this – and all elements of – discrimination from our sport."

England international James also received the support of national team.

A post on the Three Lions' official Twitter account said: "Every time one of our players – or anybody – faces abuse, it only increases our determination to stamp racism out of the game.

"As the national team, it is our duty to drive change and to ensure that no individual has to endure what Reece has."

The FA spoke out after Chelsea threw their weight behind calls for social media companies to step up efforts to tackle trolls following James revealing he had been targeted on Friday evening.

A statement issued via the Blues' official Twitter account said: "Everyone at Chelsea is disgusted with the racist abuse Reece James received on social media on Friday evening.

"This club finds racism and all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We totally condemn it.

"In sport, as in wider society, we must create a social media environment where hateful and discriminatory actions are as unacceptable online as they would be on the street.

"We add our voice to those urging social media platforms and regulatory authorities to take stronger, more effective and more urgent action against this despicable behaviour.

"Something needs to change and it needs to change now."

James addressed the issue again in an Instagram post on Saturday.

He posted: "We all have a part to play in making this world a better & more equal place! Racism is completely unacceptable! Human is our only race! @instagram you must do more!! #notoracism".

Chelsea team-mates Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta were among those to tweet in support for James.

Speaking on Friday about the earlier incidents, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters had said: "Tackling online hate is a priority for football, and I believe social media companies need to do more."

Relating to the abuse of Sawyers, West Midlands Police said a 49-year-old man from Kingswinford, near Birmingham, was questioned in custody on Friday evening.

The force's football hate crime officer is also investigating reports of another racist comment towards the player.

ID:432921: cacheID:432921:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:15421:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Reece James in action for Chelsea on December 15, 2020
Read Next:
FA to join forces with Government and social media to tackle racist abuse
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


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!