The FA

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter chief Jack Dorsey called out by football chiefs to end abuse on social media

      by

      ENGLISH football has united to demand social media giants stop talking and start acting to root out online abuse.
      In a direct and no punches pulled message to Twitter chief Jack Dorsey and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, representatives of all areas of the game came together in an open letter to tell the companies that ‘basic human decency’ required intervention.

      Football chiefs have penned a joint letter to social media giants including Facebook’s Mark ZuckerbergCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Twitter boss Jack Dorsey is the other recipient of the letterCredit: Reuters

      Recent weeks have seen players including Anthony Martial, Axel Tuanzebe, Reece James, Romaine Sawyers and Lauren James subjected to vile racist abuse.
      And referee Mike Dean will not work this weekend following online death threats posted to his family.
      The damning letter was signed by FA chief Mark Bullingham, Prem boss Richard Masters, Gordon Taylor, EFL chief exec Trevor Birch, womens’ game leader Kelly Simmons, the LMA’s Richard Bevan, Mike Riley and Sanjay Bhandari of Kick It Out.
      It said: “The language used is debasing, often threatening and illegal.

      “It causes distress to the recipients and the vast majority of people who abhor racism, sexism and discrimination of any kind.
      “We have had many meetings with your executives over the years but the reality is your platforms remain havens for abuse.
      “Your inaction has created the belief in the minds of the anonymous perpetrators that they are beyond reach.”
      Players are understood to be considering a boycott of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as a sign of their growing anger and indignation.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      And Edleen John, the FA director in charge of equality, diversity and inclusion, explained: “The companies must be able to create an algorithm which filters and blocks this abuse.
      “There must also be a swift takedown of anything they see that could be abusive or deemed abusive.
      “Users need to be verified. We have keyboard warriors sitting at home, typing whatever they want, and nobody is able to trace them or where they are.
      “I don’t believe these social media companies are unable to do that. If there is anybody who can find that information, it’s going to be a massive tech company.
      “We’ve been talking for 18 months. It seems there isn’t that impetus or momentum in the social media companies to address this.
      “It shouldn’t take 18 months to build an algorithm for them to be able to stop some of the stuff that’s happening.”
      ‘THEY’RE NOT READY TO MAKE THAT CHANGE’
      Twitter and Facebook both responded by insisting they were taking the issue seriously, in the wake of Government threats to levy fines of 10 per cent of their global earnings if the abuse continued.
      A Twitter spokesperson said: “There is no room for racist abuse on Twitter and we are resolute in our commitment to ensure the football conversation on our service is safe for fans, players and everyone involved in the game.
      “We strongly condemn this behaviour and will continue to take swift action on the minority that try to undermine the conversation for the majority.”
      Facebook added: “We don’t want hate and racism on our platforms and remove it when we find it.”
      But John added: “The discussions are always around ‘well, you know, we can’t look at things like emojis, because you have to think of context’.
      “If you are talking about a black person receiving a banana or a monkey, I’m not sure any further context or explanation is needed.
      “And if you can build a robot to vacuum your house you must be able to create an AI mechanism that can see words, emojis and pictures and filter them.
      “The only conclusion you can draw is they’re not ready to make that change and they don’t want to because they are more interested in driving people to the platforms.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shows his class as Man Utd boss sends fan struggling with mental health touching supportive letter More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League, FA and football authorities hold first serious all-party meeting to combat wave of vile online abuse

      by

      FOOTBALL authorities have held their first serious all-party meeting with social media giants to combat online hate as Anton Ferdinand demanded they be held to account.
      Anti-racism leaders Kick It Out convened the gathering of the game’s senior organisations.

      Kick It Out chairman Sanjay Bhandari has described the ‘culture of impunity’ behind online hateCredit: PA:Press Association

      Former Premier League defender Anton Ferdinand addressed today’s meetingCredit: PA:Press Association

      Facebook and Twitter were invited to the talk alongside the Premier League, PFA, FA, EFL and LMA.
      Former West Ham defender Ferdinand told the meeting: “As footballers we are held accountable for our actions all the time – why aren’t the people that are sending abuse, and the social media platforms, held to account too?
      “I had no escape from being racially abused, whether that was on the streets or social media.
      “The ripple effect the abuse had on me and my family, I wouldn’t want anyone else to experience that.”

      The social media companies agreed to take steps to ensure a zero tolerance policy on online hate and abuse.
      As part of a set of “common principles” the parties confirmed that “discrimination, hate and abuse towards those who play, support or work in the game is totally unacceptable”.
      That includes “real-world consequences” for those who use online platforms to spread abuse with the determination to make perpetrators be “accountable for their actions”.
      Outside bodies involved were UK Football Policing Unit, Women in Football, Crown Prosecution Service, Home Office and Sky, with further meetings to be held every two months.

      Online discriminatory abuse is unacceptable and tackling this issue must be a priority for football and social media companies.
      Richard MastersPremier League Chief Exec

      Kick it Out chairman Sanjay Bhandari said: “Online hate thrives because there is a culture of impunity.
      “People feel free to say what they want because they are confident there will be no consequences. That must change.”
      Prem chief executive Richard Masters added: “Online discriminatory abuse is unacceptable and tackling this issue must be a priority for football and social media companies.
      “Sadly, there are too many instances of footballers and their families receiving horrific discriminatory messages and nobody should have to deal with this.
      “The Premier League welcomes this initiative as a means of persuading social media companies to remove offensive material swiftly and help the Premier League and law enforcement bodies identify perpetrators.”
      Twitter and Facebook appear to recognise their responsibilities.

      Between June and September last year were able to find 95% of the hate speech content and removed it before anyone reported it.
      Jerry NewmanFacebook

      Facebook’s Jerry Newman said: “We don’t want racism or any type of hate speech on Facebook or Instagram.
      “Over the last few years, we’ve tripled the size of our safety and security team and between June and September last year were able to find 95 per cent of the hate speech content and removed it before anyone reported it. We won’t stop there.”
      Katy Minshall of Twitter added: “Racist behaviour has no place on Twitter and we strongly condemn it.
      “We continue to collaborate closely with our partners in football to identify ways to tackle this issue collectively.”

      Premier League reinforces there is No Room For Racism with new campaign video More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League to introduce concussion subs from NEXT WEEK but FA Cup delayed after worrying head injuries this season

      by

      CONCUSSION substitutes will be allowed in the Premier League from NEXT week.
      But Wembley chiefs will not introduce the measure into the FA Cup until the fifth round.

      David Luiz playing on after a heavy blow against Wolves in November emphasised calls for concussions substitutesCredit: AFP or licensors

      FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and Prem counterpart Richard Masters were keen for English football to trial the measure after it was approved by Fifa and lawmakers Ifab last month.
      They needed Ifab approval, which was delayed by the festive break, to bring the new temporary Law into the English game.
      That has now been granted and Prem clubs will formally back the measure at tomorrow’s virtual ‘shareholder’ meeting, to come into effect from the upcoming full midweek programme next week.
      Under the new Laws, each team will be allowed two permanent concussion substitutes if players have head injuries, assessed by qualified medics.

      But to avoid potential ‘gaming’ by cynical managers seeking to take advantage of the new Laws, the opposing coach will also be allowed to make extra substitutions on top of the standard three changes.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      The FA led the call for the Law to be brought in after growing increasingly concerned at links between football and dementia.
      Wembley bosses had wanted to introduce it from the third round stage of the FA Cup.

      But guidelines and requirements for all clubs in competitions using the Law to have full-time medical officers and the short timespan mean it will not be brought in this weekend although it should be for the fifth round next month.

      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta discuses the risks of concussion after David Luiz collision More

    • 275 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      FA put pressure on England teams and demand World Cup or Euro WIN by 2024 in ambitious target over next three years

      by

      THE FA now wants England to WIN a major tournament by 2024.
      Nearly a decade after former Wembley chairman Greg Dyke set the 2022 World Cup as the prime target for the Three Lions, the latest official aims of the governing body show a slippage in that timeframe.

      England men’s manager Gareth Southgate has two Euros and a World Cup within the timeframe the FA want to see a major tournament wonCredit: EPA

      Current Holland women’s boss Sarina Wiegman will succeed Phil Neville in charge of the Lionesses from September this year Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Instead, the FA believes England should be seeking to win a major tournament, by either the men’s or women’s teams, over the next THREE seasons.
      That period includes two European Championships and a World Cup for the men’s team, and the delayed Euros and 2023 World Cup for the Lionesses.
      The targets are included in the FA’s “Game Changer” strategy objectives.
      Explaining the targets, the FA said: “International tournament success will be transformational for English football and inspirational for millions of boys and girls.

      “To achieve our ambition by 2024, we’ll strive to deliver the best possible international team operations, coaching and development environment at St. George’s Park.
      “We will continue to work with our partners in the game to enhance a talent pathway that gives players the best development opportunities, and foster an inclusive and empowering culture among winning England teams.”

      The other aspirations set  by the FA include establishing a new digital platform for the grassroots game and ensuring equal opportunities for girls.

      A target of 5,000 “good quality” artificial and natural pitches is also in the list, along with a discrimination-free sport and plans to maximise the appeal and revenue of the FA Cup and Women’s Super League.
      But the FA recognises that the Covid-19 pandemic has altered the landscape, on top of evolving situations that remain critical.
      CASINO DEALS: BEST SIGN UP OFFERS TO CLAIM OVER £700

      It added: “The future structure of the professional club game, both domestically and internationally, is in flux.
      “The linear broadcast market is widely expected to have peaked and the technology that underpins the administration of the game in England is creaking and needs replacing. 
      “The ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement prompted us to self-reflect and acknowledge, like many other institutions in society, that we can do even more to tackle discrimination.”

      Jose Mourinho’s brutal Mesut Ozil put down after Arsenal ace said he’d rather retire than play for Tottenham More

    • 250 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      FA Cup giant-killers Chorley and Crawley ordered to NOT repeat wild celebrations if they win next tie over Covid fears

      by

      GIANTKILLERS Chorley and Crawley have been urged to not repeat their FA Cup dressing room celebrations.
      The non-leaguers greeted their win over Derby with a linked-arms and maskless chorus of their adopted anthem, Adele’s “Someone Like You”.

      Crawley stunned Leeds to reach the fourth roundCredit: Rex Features

      Chorley beat an under strength DerbyCredit: Twitter @chorleyfc

      And League Two Crawley were equally joyful in their changing room after destroying Leeds on Sunday.
      But while the FA recognises there was nothing malicious or wrong in the players enjoying their moment, Wembley chiefs are under pressure to ensure Covid protocols are followed by all clubs.
      Advice was sent to all competing clubs ahead of the third round weekend, with the teams told they were under scrutiny to comply with taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
      But the emotion of the victories saw the two giantkillers ignore those regulations.

      And that means a further letter will be sent to all clubs, including the weekend heroes, to remind them of the need to stick to the Covid rules.
      BETTING OFFER: CLAIM RISK FREE £20 BET WITH PADDY POWER

      The FA, though, is powerless to do anything about the street scenes around Tottenham’s game at Marine, which saw hundreds of fans massing to greet the team coaches.
      That is purely a police matter and it was united that Merseyside officers did not attempt to disperse the supporters on the streets of Crosby.

      Chorley were handed a home tie against Premier League outfit Wolves in the fourth round.
      Meanwhile, Crawley travel to Championship high-flyers Bournemouth.

      Son laughs and Bale calls for yellow card as Alli makes comical tumble in Spurs’ clash with Marine More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      FA Cup prize money SLASHED by HALF with winners set to receive less than £4m… and third-round victors get just £61k

      by

      THIS season’s FA Cup winners will bank just half what Arsenal received last year – at £3.4million.
      The Gunners scooped a total £6.8m for beating Chelsea at Wembley in May.

      Hefty prizes from their wins in previous rounds added to a £3.6m fee for going all the way.
      But The FA have slashed the prize pot in half for the 2020-21 edition of the tournament.
      No replays or fans, at least for the vast majority of matches, means a very different feel to the world’s oldest cup competition.
      This weekend’s third-round match winners will receive £61,500, down from £135,000.

      The teams crashing out at this stage, be it by a defeat or a coronavirus outbreak, will take home just over £20,000 for their troubles.
      Prize money bumps up to £90,000 for winning in the fourth round, with £180,000 on offer in the fifth.

      Arsenal banked some much-needed cash with their cup win in MayCredit: PA:Press Association
      Quarter-final victors will earn £360,000 and £900,000 will go to each of the semi-final winners.
      Even the sides that lose the semi-finals will take home the not-inconsiderable amount of £450,000.

      The team that goes all the way will pocket £1.8m from the final, meaning a total £3.4m banked throughout the tournament.
      BETTING OFFER: CLAIM RISK FREE £20 BET WITH PADDY POWER

      Chelsea were awarded £1.8m for losing last season’s showpiece, a fee cut by 50 per cent in line with other savings this time around, to £900,000.
      The wholesale reductions mark a hasty retreat from FA bosses in attempting to further incentivise the competition.
      Prize money was doubled in 2018-19 to encourage sides to take the FA Cup more seriously, but has now been cut back down to its original size.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Aston Villa set to be kicked out of FA Cup after ‘significant’ coronavirus outbreak More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      FA release statement on why Man Utd star Edinson Cavani was banned for ‘negrito’ post but admit he was NOT racist

      by

      EDINSON CAVANI was NOT racist when he wrote the ‘negrito’ comment that earned him a three-match ban.
      But FA disciplinary beaks agreed they had no option other than to impose the minimum sanction available to them – and suggested Manchester United should have warned Cavani about unacceptable language.

      Edinson Cavani was punished over an Instagram post made in NovemberCredit: PA:Press Association

      South American football chiefs have rushed to Cavani’s defence after the Uruguay striker was banned last week, demanding the FA rescind his three-match ban and £100,000 fine.
      The charge came after Cavani’s response to an Instagram congratulatory message from a friend, Pablo Fernandez, after his match-winning contribution off the bench at Southampton on November 29.
      While Cavani and Manchester United said they accepted the ban, the Old Trafford outfit insisted they expected the FA to state the striker’s comments carried no racist intent.
      And in the full written reasons for the commission decision, published by Wembley chiefs, it emerged that the FA made clear it was NEVER their case to question Cavani’s intent.

      However, the three-man commission, which included former Aston Villa and Bolton midfielder turned lawyer Gareth Farrelly, did suggest United should have explained the regulations that were brought in by English football in August.
      And United’s decision to initially deny a charge which they later accepted was implicitly criticised.

      We were satisfied that the player wrote his reply in affectionate appreciation of a message from his Uruguayan friend.
      FA Commission

      It was the new guidelines, agreed by all clubs and the PFA, which gave the commission no option once Cavani had admitted the offence.
      In the reasons, the commission said: “On December 3, Manchester United asserted the circumstances were such that disciplinary action was not warranted, and that the Player’s conduct did not amount to a breach of FA Rules.

      “However, upon being charged the Player admitted the allegation and expressed his wish that these proceedings be determined without the necessity of a personal hearing.”
      A Latin American expert witness, called by the FA, confirmed: “Someone familiar with South American culture and language could also have understood that in the context of friends it was not used with the intention to be racist, insulting or offensive.”
      The commission added: “We were satisfied that the Player wrote his reply in affectionate appreciation of a message from his Uruguayan friend.
      “It was not designed or intended to be racist or offensive either to his friend or others reading the content of the Instagram post.

      “It was no part of the case presented by the FA that the Player deliberately acted with racist or offensive intent. That was an approach and understanding with which the Commission agreed.
      “When translated in a foreseeable way, the FA submitted that a follower of English Premier League football would have understandably concluded that the words used were racially offensive.
      “The player submitted that he was simply spontaneously responding affectionately to a good friend by his nickname.
      “At the time the message was posted the Player had no idea that the term used could be construed as offensive in this country.
      ““Negrito” was not used in reference to his friend’s colour, but simply because that was the nickname Mr Fernandez had been known by since childhood.
      “So it was that the Player deleted the post and apologised as soon as he became aware of the potentially offensive connotations of that which he had innocently said.”
      Cavani admitted to what was a strict liability offence, although, the commission added: “The player could not reasonably have known that any such offence would be caused.
      “He had only been in this country for some two months, did not speak English and had not previously lived in an English-speaking country.

      “It would not be proper to infer he had been sufficiently exposed to the language and culture of this country so as to allow him to have understood that words that were affectionate and unoffensive in his native language, were unquestionably offensive in this country.
      “He had also received no media training upon his arrival in England to enable him to be better placed to understand the cultural differences that might give rise to issues with a foreign player posting information on a social media platform.
      “In light of the Player’s high profile in the game, his inability to speak English and the fact that he had approaching 8 million Instagram followers, the Commission were surprised that no such ‘training’ had been specifically put in place for the Player by his club.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Solskjaer hints Edinson Cavani will get new Man Utd contract as he claims veteran striker has a few years left in him More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      FA tells clubs third-round ties MUST be completed even if they are down to 14 players amid coronavirus hell

      by

      THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has instructed clubs they must play their FA Cup third-round ties next week – even if they only have 14 Covid-free players available.
      There have been growing concerns within the FA that the competition could be thrown into chaos if a number of fixtures are postponed.

      The FA has told clubs they must fulfil their third-round ties

      Clubs were informed of the decision via email on Friday as a steep rise in coronavirus cases in the UK threatens the completion of the third round.
      To fit into a truncated 2020-21 season, replays have been removed from this season’s edition of the FA Cup.
      As a result, there is little room in the domestic football calendar to play a third-round tie if clubs are unable to put out a team.
      Premier League clubs were informed at the start of the season they would have to play with a minimum of 14 eligible players, including youngsters with any first-team experience.

      However, recent postponements have caused confusion over the criteria needed for matches to be called off.
      The FA’s competitions officer, Chris Darnell, advised clubs FA Cup fixtures will have to be played in order to ‘mitigate the risk of causing disruption to the wider fixture schedule’.
      Any clubs unable to select 14 Covid-19 negative players must report the issue to the FA, at which point an FA sub-committee will determine whether the matter merits a postponement.
      Fulham’s trip to Burnley was postponed on Saturday after more first-team players tested positive for Covid-19.

      The match became the third postponement in the Premier League this week following Fulham’s previous fixture against Tottenham on Wednesday, and Everton versus Manchester City on Monday.
      Fulham’s players and staff were retested following the cancellation of their clash with Spurs but further cases have resulted in the postponement of Sunday’s match at Turf Moor.
      There are further concerns next week’s tests at Football League clubs – the first widespread testing at that level since November – will unearth a number of positive cases.
      Premier League clubs currently test their players and staff twice a week but there has been no regular testing of EFL players, with clubs instead isolating players and staff who report symptoms.
      The FA has offered clubs financial support for more testing to ensure they are able to reach the minimum requirements of the competition.

      Jose Mourinho waits around with his team as match between Tottenham and Fulham is cancelled More