Custom Search 1

Kick It Out: “Discrimination casts a shadow over football”

PICTURED: Tammy Abraham

KICK IT Out, an organisation dedicated to challenging discrimination within football, has issued a “call to action” to social media companies after Chelsea player Tammy Abraham was the victim of online racial abuse.

Abraham was subjected to several abusive posts on Twitter after his penalty was saved by the Liverpool goalkeeper Adrián, sealing Uefa Super Cup victory on Wednesday (Aug 14).

Following the abuse, Kick It Out released a statement, calling the abuse “disgusting. “Last night we received reports of racist abuse at Tammy Abraham on social media after Chelsea’s Uefa Super Cup match.

“Such abuse is now increasingly predictable, but no less disgusting.

“We send our support to Tammy and reiterate our call for Twitter and other social media companies to clamp down on this level of abuse. This is a call to action – we want to know what they are going to do to tackle this insidious problem.”

Kick It Out has previously called on the FA and individual clubs to take action after “disgraceful” incidents of reported abuse on the first weekend of the season.

Earlier this month, Cyrus Christie claimed that a Fulham supporter and his wife hit and racially abused his sister.

“To the Fulham fan that decided to hit my sister at the game today and his wife who justified his actions with racist remarks I hope your proud of yourself and feel like a big man,” Christie wrote on Twitter.

Kick It Out underlined Christie’s allegation and said Southend’s Theo Robinson, Stoke’s James McClean and Barnsley’s Bambo Diaby were also subjected to “unacceptable discriminatory abuse”.

Their statement continued: “Clubs and the football authorities must be relentless in calling out this disgraceful behaviour, and be prepared to issue strong sanctions and education sessions to any supporters involved.

“Discrimination casts a shadow over football in this country, and we will not stop highlighting the problem while it remains rife in the game.”

After the game in Istanbul, Christian Pulisic said he and his Chelsea team-mates were quick to comfort Abraham after his shootout miss.

“It’s penalties, man – somebody has to miss,” Pulisic said.

“He’s going to get his head up. Obviously it’s tough but penalties are like that. He can deal with it and he’ll be fine. He’ll move on, score a goal in the next game and everything will be forgotten. We’re there for him.”

Subscribe to The Voice database!

We'd like to keep in touch with you regarding our daily newsletter, Voice competitions, promotions and marketing material and to further increase our reach with The Voice readers.

If interested, please click the below button to complete the subscription form.

We will never sell your data and will keep it safe and secure.

For further details visit our privacy policy.

You have the right to withdraw at any time, by clicking 'Unsubscribe'.