Scottish Football Unites to Support Social Media Boycott

#FootballUnites

Forfar Athletic will stand together as Scottish Football Unites in a support of boycotting all social media. This comes as a response to continuing racist and discriminatory abuse online aimed at Football Players, Club Staff and Volunteers, Supporters, Officials, and others associated with the game.

To offer support we will cease activity on our social media channels from 15:00 today (Friday 30th April) to 23.59 on Monday 3rd May.

In doing this we stand with clubs across the country which include the Scottish FA, the Scottish Professional Football League, PFA Scotland, Scottish Women’s Football and Show Racism the Red Card who will all switch off their social media activity.

During this time we will post any Club updates/ information here on our website at www.forfarathletic.co.uk 

Fraser Wishart, PFA Scotland Chief Executive: “PFA Scotland has long supported campaigns against all forms of discrimination and our members have kept the issues of racism and social injustice in the public eye this season. The social media boycott is another way for our members to continue to raise awareness around the issue. However, gestures alone are not enough: the abuse online by those hiding behind their keyboard must stop.

“We call upon social media companies to engage in meaningful dialogue with a view to providing a mechanism to stop and report all forms of abuse to the relevant authorities. Comments can be hurtful to players and their families and have a profound effect on their lives. In 2021 our members deserve much better.”

Show Racism the Red Card campaign manager Jordan Allison said: “Through social media, players are on the receiving end of targeted hatred on an almost daily basis. These deeply traumatising experiences are enabled by platforms that put the monetisation of footballers before their welfare.

“Our charity fully supports this united stance from Scottish football and believes it should mark the beginning of a powerful campaign that urges social media companies and governing bodies to address the concerns of black and ethnic minority players and supporters.

“Show Racism the Red Card is providing educational infographics to all clubs for use across their channels ahead of the boycott beginning. Supporters are encouraged to share these graphics in order to amplify the message and help educate as many people as possible on how to recognise online abuse, how to stay safe online, how to support victims of racism and how to report racism online.

“With young people across the country still absorbing our players’ efforts to support the anti-racism movement, our education charity will back any stance that aims to create a society for our future generation free from racism. Social media can and must do more.”

For more information please visit: 

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-football-unites-to-support-social-media-boycott/

https://www.theredcard.org/