Marcus Rashford

Instagram wants to stop the wave of racism against footballers.

 

Instagram has announced measures to stop the wave of racist insults against Premier League footballers. The social medium will remove accounts that send such “gruesome” texts, according to a spokesperson for Facebook, Instagram’s parent company.

Notable footballers, including Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Axel Tuanzebe of Manchester United and Reece James of Chelsea, have been targets of racism on social media in recent weeks. “We are shocked by the poison being poured out on the football players. We are not only going to block these accounts that violate the rules, but we are going to remove them altogether.”

In response to racism on social media platforms, the English Football Association (FA) called on the government this week to act faster and harder. Last month, Britain’s Prince William, Honorary Football Association President, described racist statements against footballers as “despicable”.

The Premier League launched an action plan against racism on Tuesday. The plan follows from previous steps taken to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the top English football league. It also contains actions to eradicate racial prejudice.

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