Social Media Blackout

One of the most enduring appeals of sport is its abilities to cross barriers and bring people together. There is absolutely no place for discrimination of any kind in sport, indeed in any aspect of modern society, yet the online abuse received by athletes, sometimes on a daily basis, is still ongoing. Sport is a wonderful unifier and we all have a responsibility to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, can enjoy it without fear.

Social media provides a wonderful platform for athletes, clubs and sporting organisations to engage and communicate with their fans, but these platforms are being abused by a vile but vocal minority, often hiding behind anonymous accounts, and it’s the responsibility of the social media companies to actively deal with the problem.

My social media accounts will be silent from 3pm today until midnight on Monday 3rd May, in solidarity with everyone who faces hate and discrimination online, and I join calls from across the sporting community for the social media companies to do more to combat online abuse.