Premier League calls on social media companies to stamp out racism

| 29 January 2021

Chief executive Richard Masters wants to "see swifter removal of offensive messages and improved identification and banning of offenders".

The Premier League has demanded social media companies do more to stamp out racism as it condemned the abuse directed at West Brom’s Romaine Sawyers and Manchester United pair Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial this week.

West Brom contacted police after Sawyers went sent a racist message during Tuesday’s 5-0 defeat to Manchester City, while the United pair were berated following their side’s shock defeat to Sheffield United the following night.

And in another unwelcome development on Friday night, Chelsea and England defender Reece James posted a screengrab on his Instagram Story showing racist abuse he had received, adding: “Something needs to change”. A Chelsea spokesman said they were investigating the matter.

No room for RACISM!!🤬

— Reece James (@reecejames_24) January 29, 2021

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “I am appalled to see the racial abuse received by players this week.

“Racist behaviour of any form is unacceptable and nobody should have to deal with it.

“Tackling online hate is a priority for football, and I believe social media companies need to do more.”

Masters said the Premier League is in “regular dialogue” with social media companies, with regard to establishing a means to respond faster and more seriously to discriminatory posts of the type seen this week.

The #PL and our clubs will not tolerate discrimination. We will continue to work with the police, @cpsuk, @kickitout, @thepfa, @LMA_Managers, @FA, @EFL & social media companies to take action against online hate.

There is #NoRoomForRacism.

Statement: https://t.co/NIghNWgue9 pic.twitter.com/KVoRjB8500

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 29, 2021

Masters added: “We are in regular dialogue with social media companies, challenging them to do more against discriminatory abuse on their platforms. We want to see swifter removal of offensive messages and improved identification and banning of offenders.”

Sawyers was at fault for City’s third goal as the Baggies, second bottom of the Premier League, were thumped at The Hawthorns.

A club statement read: “West Bromwich Albion has today contacted West Midlands Police to report a racist message sent to Romaine Sawyers on social media.

West Bromwich Albion has, and always will, stand against all forms of discrimination.

There is simply no place for it.

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) January 29, 2021

“Everyone at the club is appalled by the abhorrent message which was sent during Tuesday’s Premier League fixture against Manchester City.

“The club has a proud history of confronting all forms of discrimination and will assist the authorities with their inquiries, seeking the toughest available legal punishment, as well as a lifetime ban from The Hawthorns for the individual responsible.

“Albion will offer Romaine the relevant support required at this time and continues with its long-standing commitment to help rid football of racism.

Romaine Sawyers was racially abused online during West Brom's Premier League defeat to Manchester City — Romaine Sawyers was racially abused online during West Brom’s Premier League defeat to Manchester City (Michael Regan/PA)

“There is No Room For Racism. Anywhere.”

Troy Townsend, head of development at anti-racism charity Kick It Out, has reached out to Sawyers to offer his support while Albion boss Sam Allardyce joined the calls for action.

He said: “It leaves a big question about whether reporting it is enough. Romaine – or any black person across the country – should not have to be open to any type of abuse on social media.

Sam Allardyce File Photo — Sam Allardyce believes social media companies can do more to combat racism (Glyn Kirk/PA)

“He is extremely upset as anybody would be. More than Romaine have suffered throughout football in the last few days.

“It does become a greater thing to put right but who does it lie with? Should a player take legal action? That is an avenue for the PFA and all the players to get together about and choose the right way to go. How do we hold people accountable?

“Social media sites need to act in a more responsible way. We have to do our best to cut this out.”

We are #UnitedAgainstRacism.

Then, now and always.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 28, 2021

It came after Manchester United condemned the “mindless idiots” who racially abused Tuanzebe and Martial.

Wednesday’s shock 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United sparked racist online abuse aimed at the pair after defender Tuanzebe inadvertently turned in Oliver Burke’s winner.

Racist terms and monkey emojis were put on Instagram comments of the pair’s most recent posts.

Solskjaer on racist abuse of Tuanzebe & Martial: "It's just incredible that we have these scenes still or abuse in 2021. It's disgusting…. they're not Man United fans in my head anyway when this happens. We're all standing behind every single one of our players" #MUFC

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) January 29, 2021

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer joined Masters and Allardyce in insisting that social media platforms need to do more.

“I think the social media platforms need to be looked at, yeah,” the United boss added.

“If you can create an anonymous account and you can abuse people, of course it’s not right.

“We’ll work together with everyone to stop this nonsense.”