FOOTBALL clubs are to hold talks about staging a WEEK-LONG boycott of social media.
The proposed move is a protest against the vile racist and sexist abuse some of the game’s stars have suffered online.
Marcus Rashford has suffered vile abuse on social mediaCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
It is also a bid to get platforms to clean up their sites by stopping anonymous trolling.
The boycott will be discussed by EFL chairmen and chief executives at their monthly meeting next week.
Two Championship clubs got it on the agenda after being horrified at the abuse players have been subjected to on social media in recent weeks.
They want EFL chiefs to approve a sanction that would see all clubs, players, staff and fans of teams in the Championship and Leagues One and Two stay off social media platforms for seven days.
Those backing the boycott believe their counterparts in the Premier League would then follow suit.
The move, if approved, would be the strongest protest yet by the football fraternity.
Online sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram earn millions of pounds in revenue from football-related content, much of which is provided by clubs and players.
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford was abused following the 0-0 draw at Arsenal last Saturday, with team-mates subjected to sick abuse after the loss to Sheffield United three days earlier.
On the same day, a man was arrested after a racist message was sent to West Brom’s Romaine Sawyers.
Chelsea ace Reece James and Alex Jankewitz of Southampton have also been targeted in the past week.
Reece James has also been the subject of disgraceful racist messagesCredit: Reuters
Rio Ferdinand calls on government and social media to do more to combat ‘disgusting’ racism aimed at players
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
