English Cricket, Premiership Rugby Join Social Media Boycott Over Abuse
A number of high-profile footballers have been racially abused online in recent months, prompting calls for tougher action from social media giants.
Highlights
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England's top-flight rugby union clubs will also join the boycott
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The boycott is a show of solidarity against racism and discrimination
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A number of high-profile footballers have been racially abused recently
English cricket bosses and Premiership rugby chiefs announced on Wednesday they would join football's boycott of social media in a show of solidarity against racism and discrimination. A coalition of football organisations including the English Football Association and Premier League revealed they would go silent on their channels from 1400 GMT on Friday until 2259 GMT on Monday. A number of high-profile footballers have been racially abused online in recent months, prompting calls for tougher action from social media giants.
Broadcasters BT Sport and Talksport have announced they will be taking part in the protest along with Adidas, which manufactures more than a third of Premier League kits.
The England and Wales Cricket Board will be joined by all 18 first-class counties and the MCC in boycotting the platforms.
"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," said ECB chief executive Tom Harrison.
"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."
It was announced later Wednesday that all 12 of England's top-flight rugby union clubs would be joining the boycott as part of its support for BT's new campaign to tackle online hate, called Draw The Line.
"This is the first stage of a multi-million pound BT campaign to step up and stand against hate speech and abuse on social media," Premiership Rugby said on its website.
"Additionally, Premiership Rugby and all our clubs will unite with other sports including football for a social media boycott...This boycott is supported by the Rugby Players' Association."
The weekend's boycott, also being implemented by the Lawn Tennis Association, follows social media blackouts by Swansea, Birmingham and Rangers football clubs in recent weeks.
German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim said on Monday they would also be joining the boycott.
England Cricket Team