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Swansea City Make Online Abuse Statement With Social Media Boycott

Swansea City is set to take a club-wide stance in the battle against abuse and discrimination of all forms on social media.

 

 

From 5pm today (April 8) all first-team players, those in the academy professional phase (under-23s and under-18s), Swansea City Ladies, our Community Trust, senior club staff and official club channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat) will not post any content for a period of seven days.

 

The decision has been taken as a result of conversations between senior club staff, players and management following the sustained abuse received by three of the club’s players in recent months.

 

A statement released by the club read: “As a football club, we have seen several of our players subjected to abhorrent abuse in the past seven weeks alone, and we feel it is right to take a stand against behaviour that is a blight on our sport, and society at large.

 

“We will always be unwavering in our support of our players, staff, supporters and the community that we proudly represent, and we are united as a club on this issue.

 

“We also want to stand with players from other clubs who have had to endure vile discrimination on social media platforms.

 

“As a club we are also acutely aware of how social media can impact on the mental health of players and staff, and we hope our strong stance will highlight the wider effects of abuse.”

 

In addition to the social media boycott, the club’s chief executive, Julian Winter has sent a letter to Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, and Facebook’s founder, chairman and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg to reiterate the club’s stance and desire to see social media companies introduce more stringent policing and punishments for those guilty of abuse.

 

The statement continued: “Something has to change soon and, as always, we welcome any support from fellow clubs, players, fans and executives as we all continue to work together in this important cause.”

 

This club-wide stance will cover the Swans’ matches against Millwall this Saturday (April 10) and their trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, April 13.

 

 

Club news will continue to be posted via its official website during this period, before a return to social media activity at 5pm on Thursday, 15 April.