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Former Blue Ward Subjected to Racist Abuse
Wednesday, 28th Apr 2021 15:32

Former Town midfielder Grant Ward was subjected to "abhorrent, racist abuse" on social media following his current club Blackpool’s 1-0 win at Sunderland on Tuesday, the Seasiders have said.

The abusive message has been reported to the police and to Instagram by the Tangerines, who have issued a statement: “Blackpool Football Club is appalled by the abhorrent, racist abuse received by Grant Ward following the team’s fixture at Sunderland last night.

“The contents of the message, on his Instagram account, have since been reported to the social media platform and are now being investigated by the police.

“Grant has the club’s full and unwavering support in this matter, as we continue to collectively take a stand in the fight against racism and online hatred. Enough is enough.”

Clubs across football, including Town and Blackpool, will be staging a social media boycott from 15.00 on Friday until 23.59 on Monday “in response to the ongoing and sustained discriminatory abuse received online by players and many others connected to football” and to call on social media companies to take more action regarding online hate.

Some clubs are encouraging their fans to join the boycott, while the England and Wales Cricket Board, first-class counties, the Professional Cricketers' Association and the Lawn Tennis Association have also pledged to take part, as have a number of media organisations including Talksport and BT Sport. TWTD will also be joining the boycott.


Photo: Matchday Images



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MerseyBlue added 15:38 - Apr 28
Disappointing that there are a handful of fans at every club who feel absolutely no shame at the depressing views they hold. I definitely support the social media boycott but as long as people are allowed to hide behind screen names, a small subsect will continue to be abusive.
7

chorltonskylineblue added 15:58 - Apr 28
MerseyBlue - social media platforms are well able to sort out abusive posts through algorithms and automated tracking tools, they just choose not to. They'd like us all to think that nothing can be done. Troy Townsend from Kick It Out talks eloquently on this subject, worth checking out.
3

itfchorry added 16:22 - Apr 28
These people could quite easily be tracked down, if it
wasn't for these arrogant Social Media Companies

Then they should be prosecuted and made an example of.
1

spanishblue added 16:46 - Apr 28
In this day and age you say to your friend I'm interested in a new washing machine near your smart phone or Alexa and see how quick an advert for said article turns up,they can do it if they want
1

therein61 added 17:50 - Apr 28
All social media sites have people registered with their personal details and should by law be made to divulge the culprits who act in this cowardly way.
1

MerseyBlue added 17:52 - Apr 28
Chorltonskylineblue - of course social media companies can do more, but if you ban someone, all it takes for them to get back on and start being abusive again is to create a new account. Social media being tied to ID would solve this but would never be approved, even though we hand our data over freely anytime we browse the Internet.
0

KernewekBlue added 18:24 - Apr 28
Given that some ill-educated people still feel it necessary to treat other human beings like dirt and abuse them online simply because of the colour of their skin, social media has a moral duty to name and shame these idiots, suspend their accounts immediately and pass their details on to the authorities as a matter of course?

Being able to hide behind an anonymous screen name to spout racial hatred, or hatred and abuse of any kind, needs to be looked at thoroughly and a real plan of action put in place both by social media sites and the authorities.

Surely the IP addresses and devices being used by such individuals can be tracked and traced and measures taken to block access to the internet from that particular device/IP address?

If the IP address can be traced, the internet provider must also be able to be identified. They should have the pertinent details of the account holder which they could share with the Police.

If social media refuse to get a handle on this situation, perhaps a boycott of all the offending companies platforms, on a longer term basis, should be called for and let's hit them where it hurts... in their pockets. If they start to lose their advertising revenue, they'll soon find a way to deal with these mindless morons!
0

WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:39 - Apr 28
All true. But more importantly heartfelt support for Grant Ward over this from all right thinking fans. I hope he is OK. Technology is Technology but shame on the sad scum that subject others to any kind of online abuse.
7

grumpyoldman added 19:39 - Apr 28
Some social media companies do not cooperate with authorities as most are based in other countries where British police have no jurisdiction and little influence. Without cooperation the IP address cannot be identified. This is the biggest problem in fighting this disgusting behaviour. No player deserves this abuse, sadly it is widespread as the cowards perpetrating this nasty vile abuse realise they can hide behind anonymity. Grant Ward once a blue always a blue.
5

Bert added 22:23 - Apr 28
I'm sorry and embarrassed that anyone is subjected to abuse. I made a lifestyle choice to not use any social media platform except TWTD which is a single subject platform and generally well moderated.
0

bobble added 23:14 - Apr 28
all the social media companies are clearly owned by anti democracy racists...racists are in every position of power from PM,s to Presidents to monarchs it seems..
0

bobble added 23:17 - Apr 28
merseyblue that would identify people who speak out and endanger their lives in many circumstances...anonymity is paramount for a free world and open transparent views..just filter out the racists and hate mongerers..
0

FromIpswichToPhoenix added 00:13 - Apr 29
The forum here is a private forum and there are filters in place to edit to block certain words. I see no reason that social media sites can't take some of the words society as a whole can agree are offensive and block them. It's not removing freedom of speech if it's a private platform.

You really want to hear the dregs of society, then go into Grand Theft Auto Online voice chat. It's awful.
0


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