What has UEFA said?
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said: “There have been abuses both on the pitch and on social media. This is unacceptable and needs to be stopped, with the help of the public and legislative authorities and the social media giants.
“Allowing a culture of hatred to grow with impunity is dangerous, very dangerous, not only for football, but for society as a whole.
“This is why we are supporting this initiative. It is time for football to take a stand and I have been impressed with the solidarity shown by the players, clubs and stakeholders.
“I urge everyone — players, clubs and national associations — to lodge formal complaints whenever players, coaches, referees or officials are victims of unacceptable tweets or messages.
“We've had enough of these cowards who hide behind their anonymity to spew out their noxious ideologies.”
Which other sports are joining?
British cycling, English cricket, Premiership Rugby and the Lawn Tennis Association will join English football in observing the blackout.
“As a sport, we are united in our commitment to fight racism and we will not tolerate the kind of discriminatory abuse that has become so prevalent on social media platforms," ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison said in a statement.
“Social media can play a very positive role in sport, widening its audience and connecting fans with their heroes in a way that was never possible before.
“However, players and supporters alike must be able to use these platforms safe in the knowledge they do not risk the prospect of facing appalling abuse.”
Premiership Rugby and their clubs have also given the blackout their “full support”, as has the LTA.
“British and international tennis players frequently suffer abuse online, simply for losing a match or even a point. This abuse is often especially targeted at female players,” the LTA said in a statement.
Has such a thing happened before?
This is the first time English football has come together in this manner to protest online abuse.
Earlier this month, Championship clubs Swansea and Birmingham, as well as Scottish champions Rangers, carried out a boycott of social media platforms in protest against the abuse their staff and players are routinely exposed to.
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry also quit social media in response to social media abuse, while two years ago some footballers took part in the ‘#Enough’ campaign, a 24-hour social media boycott in protest at abuse online.
Has Twitter responded?
Yes, the organisation released a statement that read: “Racist behaviour, abuse and harassment have absolutely no place on our service and alongside our partners in football, we condemn racism in all forms.
“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.
“Racism is a deep societal and complex issue and everyone has a role to play. We are committed to doing our part and continue to work closely with valued partners in football, government and police, along with the working group conveyed by Kick It Out to identify ways to tackle this issue collectively — both online and away from social media.”
Is discrimination in English football on the increase?
Yes. In September, at the start of the 2020-21 season, Kick It Out revealed a 42 per cent increase in reports of discrimination.
Reports made to Kick It Out rose from 313 in 2018-19 to 446 in 2019-20, despite the COVID-19 pandemic meaning that a significant part of the season was spent behind closed doors.
Reports of racism in the professional game rose by 53 per cent.
(Photo: Richard Juilliart - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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