Southampton has given a firm reply to the online racial harassment directed towards Kyle Walker-Peters after the team’s tie with Manchester United.
Following racist abuse directed towards Kyle Walker-Peters on social media after Southampton’s draw with Manchester United, the club issued a statement on Monday.
The 25-year-old defender had posted on Instagram, and a racial slur was used in response to a comment about Alejandro Garnacho, who had to be substituted due to a challenge from Walker-Peters.
Racism in football has become an issue once again
The offensive messages have been reported to the police, and Southampton criticized social media platforms for not adequately protecting players online. This is not the first time the club has taken action against racial abuse, as they did the same for midfielder Alex Jankewitz in February 2021.
“In February 2021 the club made a statement about one of our young players receiving abhorrent racial abuse following a match against Manchester United,” Club’s official statement reads.
“More than two years on, we find ourselves in the exact same position: disgusted and disappointed in the behaviour of those online who lower themselves to abusing players for the colour of their skin.
“What is equally frustrating is the lack of meaningful action in those two years from the social media platforms who allow such hatred to breed and fester.
“As we have said before, Southampton Football Club fights every day to remove such people from our sport and our community in order to protect our players, our staff, Southampton fans and those football supporters around the world who recognise and celebrate the diversity that makes football special.
“We have forwarded the messages concerned to Hampshire Police in keeping with our normal processes when dealing with these cases.
“The Club have also reported these posts to the social media platforms involved.
“We can only hope that they finally pay attention to what continues to be a major problem and that we do not find ourselves repeating these words in another two years’ time.”
