Police in Greater Manchester have reported they are investigating racist remarks sent via social media to a number of Manchester United players.
The intervention comes when a number of famous Premier League players have announced in the past seven days that they have faced racial harassment. In addition to Romaine Sawyers of West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea’s Reece James, United’s Marcus Rashford, Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial have all been threatened. While Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is the latest victim of the abuse.
Rashford said he chose not to share screenshots of the messages he had been sent. He said “it would be irresponsible to do so… I have lovely kids of all colors following me and they don’t have to read it”. The Manchester United player described the abuse at its worst as “humanity and social media.
He wrote ” Yeah, I am a black man and I live every day proud of my being. No one, or no single comment, will make me feel different. Sorry, if you’re looking for a powerful reaction, you just won’t get it here.”
The government held a conference last week to discuss the topic of online violence with many prominent black figures inside the game. This year, they are supposed to bring a new online damage bill before Parliament. The government says would “require technology companies to take action so that what is unacceptable on the street and at stands is also unacceptable online.”
