EFL bosses have united in their condemnation of ‘mindless idiots’ who direct racist abuse at players and staff on social media after another vile attack on a player.
Rick Parry has spoken out after Bolton Wanderers' striker, Elias Kachunga, was targeted on Instagram after his club’s League One 0-0 draw with Burton Albion on Monday.
The EFL chief, who said the comments directed at Kachunga were ‘sickening’, has been joined by the Bolton and Burton chairmen.
Bolton striker Elias Kachunga was targeted on his Instagram account after the League One fixture with Burton Albion, the matter has now been referred to the police
Kachunga, 29, is a former Germany youth international and has one senior cap for DR Congo. He joined Bolton last month, signing a two-year contract.
As well as his disgust at the perpetrators of abuse, Parry believes social media companies have the power to implement the changes necessary to combat the problem.
EFL chairman Rick Parry has spoken out against abuse of footballers
“In a week when the shortcomings of social media platforms have been highlighted once again, it is sickening to see the vitriolic racist abuse directed at Bolton Wanderers' Elias Kachunga, said the EFL chairman.
“The EFL stands together with Elias, Bolton Wanderers and all those who continue to be targeted by these mindless idiots and we will continue to work proactively as we attempt to remove this unacceptable behaviour and protect our people.’
Earlier this week, former players, the FA and the Professional Footballers’ Association gave evidence to two select committees to highlight the ongoing problem of racism online.
The football authorities highlighted a lack of action from social media companies, like Instagram and Twitter, in tackling the problem,
Kachunga, a DR Cong international, joined Bolton a month ago on a two-year deal
Ex-West Ham and QPR defender Anton Ferdinand Anton Ferdinand challenged social media companies to take action over racist abuse before a high-profile footballer – or one of their family – commits suicide because of online persecution.
While his brother, Rio, warned that racism was making a comeback in the national game.
As well as more action from the social media companies, football authorities want the Government's draft Online Harms Bill to be amended to make it harder for abusers to send vile messages anonymously.
The FA accused the big tech firms of putting profit before tackling abuse.
Parry added: “There are clearly multiple solutions required to fix the social media challenge we currently face and following football’s collective call to
