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Gillingham Football Club will join in with a social media boycott next weekend.
The EFL and their clubs, along with The FA, the Premier League, the FA Women’s Super League and many other of the game’s major establishments are making a stand against “the ongoing and sustained discriminatory abuse received online by players and many others connected to football.”
There will be no social media activity between 3pm on Friday, April 30 to 11.59pm on Monday, May 3. Gillingham are away to Burton Albion that weekend in their penultimate game of the season.
A statement said: “As a collective, the game recognises the considerable reach and value of social media to our sport. The connectivity and access to supporters who are at the heart of football remains vital.
“However, the boycott shows English football coming together to emphasise that social media companies must do more to eradicate online hate, while highlighting the importance of educating people in the ongoing fight against discrimination.
“Boycott action from football in isolation will, of course, not eradicate the scourge of online discriminatory abuse, but it will demonstrate that the game is willing to take voluntary and proactive steps in this continued fight.
“Finally, while football takes a stand, we urge the UK Government to ensure its Online Safety Bill will bring in strong legislation to make social media companies more accountable for what happens on their platforms, as discussed at the DCMS Online Abuse roundtable earlier this week.”
Gills midfielder Olly Lee recently spoke out about the abuse players receive on social media.
“I try and steer clear of it now,” said the 29-year-old.
“It doesn’t benefit players, if you play great then you are the best player in the world and then if you play bad you are the worst in the world.
“I enjoyed the social media interaction, it is nice that you can chat and the fans can see a real side to you, not just a footballer, that you have a daily life, it is a shame people feel like they have to come away from it, with the abuse people get and the the way people think they can say anything to you, it is not on, it's not right.
“I think a social media blackout is a step in the right direction. If you wouldn't say it to someone in the street you shouldn't do it, we are footballers but we are people.”
Gillingham chairman Paul Scally recently said fans of the club will be "red carded" if the abuse continues online.
He said: “These mindless, heartless, cowardly individuals have continued to peddle their abuse, lies and vitriol as if nothing is different, and they appear immune to the damage and pain their abuse can and probably has caused to a number of people.
“I have been through my own challenges this past 12 months, challenges which would test the most resilient amongst us all, challenges which will remain private but have pushed me at every turn, challenges that at times have probably tested my own mental health, and for this reason I have decided I will not ignore these individuals any more."
