'Enough is enough': Footballers boycott social media in protest at racist abuse

[REII™]

That is the strapline being championed on Friday by professional footballers in England and Wales as they stage a 24-hour boycott of social media platforms, in protest against the lack of action being taken in response to racism.

Multiple players have been subjected to abuse this season both from the stands during matches, as well as through messages on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

However, this campaign -- led by England's Professional Footballers Association (PFA) -- sees the players' union appeal to social networks and the sport's governing bodies to take a tougher stance on those found guilty of such racism offenses.

A plethora of current and former footballers have backed the campaign, including Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne, Real Madrid's Gareth Bale and Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin, as well as former England midfielder Matt Le Tissier and ex-Arsenal Women captain Alex Scott.

Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford has changed his profile photo on Twitter to the symbol of the campaign.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford is one of many to have backed the #Enough campaign.

 

Watford captain Troy Deeney, who announced that he had disabled comments on his Instagram profile after receiving racist messages in April, was one of many Premier League stars to launch the boycott.

Deeney said: "My team-mates and I have been on the receiving end of well documented abuse from a minority of narrow-minded, ignorant people both on social media and on the pitch.

"Any racism in football is too much, and it's essential that we fight it wherever and whenever we see it.

"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."

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

During England's Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro in Podgorica in March, several players were subjected to racist chanting. Tottenham defender Danny Rose, one of those to face the abuse, declared afterwards that he "can't wait to see the back of football."

"I don't want any future players to go through what I've been through in my career," he stated as he co-launched the #Enough campaign, which runs until 9am BST on Saturday morning.

Raheem Sterling used his goal celebration during England's 5-1 win over Montenegro to address the alleged racist chanting that he and his teammates had been subjected do.

On 3 April in Italy, Juventus' teenage striker Moise Kean suffered racial abuse during a Serie A match against Cagliari, only for teammate Leonardo Bonucci to partially blame Kean for provoking the opposition supporters -- a stance for which he has been widely criticized, with Manchester City star Raheem Sterling reacting to Bonucci's comments on Instagram, stating: "All you can do now is laugh."

Sterling has become something of a figurehead in the fight against racism in recent months. After he was allegedly racially abused during a game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Sterling published a post on Instagram, highlighting the treatment received by black players, criticizing sections of the media for helping to "fuel racism" through their portrayals.

Following the game in Montenegro, former England midfielder John Barnes spoke to CNN, explaining that the issue was one of deep-rooted perception.

Edited April 22, 2019 by - Dark
Closed