Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock has revealed that he receives racist abuse on a “daily basis” on social media platforms.
The 21-year-old added that he has considered quitting social media altogether due to the abuse.
Willock told BBC Radio Newcastle: “Every day I get messages.
“Messages saying about my colour or different things that are disgusting, really. There’s not much you can do – you just have to try and ignore it.
“I don’t think Instagram, Facebook and Twitter have put up enough of a fight for us to do anything else.
“I feel like the only thing you can do in this day and age is just ignore it and try to put it at the back of your head.
“It comes up on your phone and they have a way of direct messaging you on your phone these disgusting things and it sort of hurts.
“It hurts a lot – even speaking about it.”
Whilst Willock had contemplated quitting social media, he continued: “If you come off social media, you lose that connection with all the wonderful fans that are supporting me every day, want to see my everyday life and see what I do, and have that connection with me over the platform that they wouldn’t have in real life.”
England fan charged in connection with racist social media post
Willock’s comments come a day after an England fan was charged in connection with a racist social media post shared online following the Euro 2020 final.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka received racist abuse on social media in the aftermath of the final between England and Italy.
Scott McCluskey, 43, from Runcorn, will appear in court next month charged with sending an offensive/abusive message by a public communication network, a spokesman for Cheshire Police has said.
Twitter revealed it removed almost 2,000 tweets during and in the 24 hours after the final.
It added that 99% of the account owners it suspended during the tournament for abuse were identifiable.
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