GARETH BALE has called for a sporting boycott on social media to eradicate vile abuse online.
The Wales captain’s team-mates Rabbi Matondo and Ben Cabango were the latest footballers to receive racist abuse on Instagram after the 1-0 win over Mexico on Saturday.
Police have launched an investigation but Tottenham star Bale believes action should be widened across all sports with stars taking a stand by coming off social media.
Bale said: “If everyone came together and decided to boycott social media to make a statement, if we had a campaign, not just one or two people, where a lot of big influential people in sport and in other forms of life came off social media to make a statement, then yes, I definitely think it could help.
“If that is the case then I would obviously be all for that.”
Professional players in England and Wales boycotted social media for 24 hours in 2019.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has already quit online platforms while England boss Gareth Southgate has asked his players if they want to ditch the use of social media during Euro 2020 this summer.
Bale added: “First and foremost, we obviously condemn any kind of racism. It wasn’t nice waking up on Sunday to hear these things and Ben and Rabbi and anyone else knows we’re here to support them, we’re all behind them and if they need anyone to talk to we’re here.
“It’s very disappointing and something needs to happen in terms of the social media companies. I guess people say things because you might be able to trace them and hold them accountable for what they’re saying.
“At the moment, people can create an account, say something, delete it and you never know who said it. Something like that would then hold people accountable and stop a lot of people saying these horrible things.
“I have had a lot of bad things said at me on social media. For me I try to stay off it, there are so many toxic people trying to say negative things and putting you down.
“It’s nice to share what we do, pictures of training, what we’re enjoying, but looking at those comments sometimes it’s best to stay away from it.
“Don’t read too much into the comments because there are some horrible people out there.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
