Manchester United are to meet representatives of Facebook following the online racial abuse of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford. The attacks on the players came via Twitter after penalty misses, with Pogba targeted after Monday’s draw at Wolves and Rashford in the wake of Saturday’s defeat by Crystal Palace.
United were already due to meet Twitter and have now decided discussions with Facebook are required because of the trend of online racism aimed at players. The club recognise the problem is less pronounced on Facebook but are determined to be as proactive as possible. Ole Gunnar Solskjær said he was “lost for words” after the abuse of Rashford.
Pogba himself has vowed to fight against racism “for the next generation”. In addition to the Frenchman and Rashford, , while Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham and Reading’s Yakou Méïté have also been targeted recently.
On Sunday, Pogba said on Twitter: “My ancestors and my parents suffered for my generation to be free today, to work, to take the bus, to play football.
“Racist insults are ignorance and can only make me stronger and motivate me to fight for the next generation.”
Paul Pogba
(@paulpogba)My ancestors and my parents suffered for my generation to be free today, to work, to take the bus, to play football. Racist insults are ignorance and can only make me stronger and motivate me to fight for the next generation. pic.twitter.com/J9IqyWQj4K
The spate of abusive posts prompted anti-discrimination campaigners Kick It Out to call for “decisive action” against offenders. Kick It Out’s statement on Saturday said: “The vile racist abuse on social media continued today. This problem will not go away and needs decisive action – that’s what we’ll be making clear to Twitter when we meet. Without immediate and the strongest possible action, these cowardly acts will continue to grow.”
