REECE JAMES revealed sick and unacceptable racist abuse he received online and demanded: ‘Something needs to change’.
Chelsea defender James, 21, uploaded a screenshot from an Instagram message, which included monkey emojis and vile racist remarks.
Chelsea right-back Reece James Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Reece James revealed sick and unacceptable racist abuse he received online
The abhorrant abuse came in response to the England international posting a picture of himself in training with the Blues.
Only last season James’ Stamford Bridge team-mate Tammy Abraham was also subjected to racist abuse as fans targeted the striker.
Chelsea said in a statement: “Everyone at Chelsea FC 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.
It comes after Manchester United pair Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial suffered the same treatment online following the 2-1 loss to Sheffield United, which both started.
And West Brom contacted the police on Friday morning as Romaine Sawyers suffered racist abuse after their loss to Man City.
United released a statement on their club website condemning the racism.
It read: “Everyone at Manchester United is disgusted by the racial abuse received by players via social media after last night’s game.
“We utterly condemn it and it is encouraging to see other fans condemn this on social media also.
“Manchester United has zero tolerance of any form of racism or discrimination and a long-standing commitment to campaigning against it through our All Red All Equal initiative.
“Identifying these anonymous mindless idiots remains problematic. We urge social media platforms and regulatory authorities to strengthen measures to prevent this kind of behaviour.”
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “It’s just incredible we have these scenes still, this abuse in 2021.
“We’ve been campaigning for a long time now with the Premier League and I think it’s working but there are still some people that haven’t got it.
“They hide behind social media, be anonymous and it’s unacceptable and it’s disgusting.
“They’re not Man United fans when this happens. You have to feel sorry for these individuals.”
Solskjaer slams ‘disgusting’ racist abuse of Man Utd duo Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial on social media
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
