Manchester United have reiterated their stance against racism after Marcus Rashford became the latest player to suffer abuse on social media.
Manchester United have shown their support to Marcus Rashford after the forward became the latest victim of racial abuse.
The 23-year-old suffered abuse on social media following United’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Saturday.
Rashford took to social media to denounce the racist abuse he received while adding that he is proud of his color.
Over the past week, a number of players in the Premier League have suffered similar incidents.
West Brom’s Romaine Sawyers and Chelsea’s Reece James are some of the names that were also victims of racial abuse. The Blues were also forced to issue a statement after the incident.
Last week, Manchester United issued an official statement after Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial suffered abuse.
The Red Devils have now reiterated their stance as Rashford becomes the latest name to suffer abuse from the ‘online idiots’.
In an interview with Sky News on Sunday afternoon, United’s director of communications Charlie Brooks said: “We’re incredibly proud of Rashford on a number of levels for everything that he has done.”
“When it comes to the abuse that the players are suffering at the moment, it’s not just an issue for our club or for football in general, it’s society’s problem.”
“Football becomes a lightning rod for it and these people won’t win, the players won’t let it affect them, but nobody should have to put up with the level of abuse that players across the board are getting at the moment.”
Brooks continued: “You hear people saying ‘maybe the players should come off social media.”
“The players shouldn’t have to come off social media. Social media is a great tool for them to communicate with fans. They shouldn’t have to come off it simply because a few individuals are perpetrating this kind of sick abuse.”
As for how those individuals might be identified, the club’s communications director added: “I think that’s something the Premier League is determined to look at, we’re determined to look at as a club, and I know the police are determined to look at it. I think the problem comes when these people are allowed to hide behind anonymous accounts.”
“The reality is if they are not able to be identified on social media, it’s very hard to trace them. Really the onus has to be on the social media companies to do something about that. We need to see verifiable, identifiable accounts. Sometimes there are good reasons why some people want to remain anonymous on the front end of social media, but it shouldn’t be the case that they can’t be tracked or identified on the back end if they’re going to carry on with this kind of abuse.”
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