The club’s leftback has become the latest player to be subjected to vile diatribe
Despite the Premier League continuing to strongly ally itself with the Black Lives Matter movement and strongly reaffirming its commitment to fighting racism, things are refusing to change.
The 2020-21 edition has seen constant instances spring up of players being racially abused by both their and opposition supporters. Despite stadiums being locked, people have not been dissuaded in smearing players racially with social platforms like Instagram and Twitter being used as a conduit.
Chelsea’s Reece James has become the latest to be bombarded with such comments. The Chelsea player was recently sent racial vitriol with messages comparing him to a monkey and lambasting his skin color coming to light.
The defender took to Instagram to share these hateful and vile comments as he wrote: “No room for RACISM!!” in response.
Chelsea Berate Racial Abuse
His employers have also strongly backed him in the aftermath of the racial abuse with the club issuing a strongly worded statement.
“Everyone at Chelsea FC is disgusted with the racist abuse Reece James received on social media on Friday evening.
“This club finds racism and all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We totally condemn it.
“In sport, as in wider society, we must create a social media environment where hateful and discriminatory actions are as unacceptable online as they would be on the street.
“We add our voice to those urging social media platforms and regulatory authorities to take stronger, more effective and more urgent action against this despicable behaviour.
“Something needs to change and it needs to change now.”
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters called for action to curb racial abuse.
He said: “I am appalled to see the racial abuse received by players this week.
“Racist behaviour of any form is unacceptable and nobody should have to deal with it.
“Tackling online hate is a priority for football, and I believe social media companies need to do more.”
