British Cricket and Rugby associations revealed that they would be participating in a social media boycott #NoRoomForRacism alongside English football teams.
Premier League earlier announced that English football teams would be boycotting social media from April 30 to May 3. The purpose of the boycott is to hold social media platforms – such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – accountable for their failure in protecting their users from online abuse and racism. Sports clubs and organizations such as the FA, Premier League, EFL, FA Women’s Super League, FA Women’s Championship, PFA, LMA, PGMOL, Kick It Out, Women in Football and the FSA have pledged their support for the #NoRoomForRacism movement.
The #PL is committed to building on the existing work to promote equality, diversity and inclusion through the #NoRoomForRacism Action Plan
More about the plan here: https://t.co/FmqeJBtimK pic.twitter.com/oGap222wQL
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 16, 2021
Tom Harrison – the Chief Executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board – supported the movement and asserted the importance of fighting racism on social media:
“As a sport, we are united in our commitment to fight racism and we will not tolerate the kind of discriminatory abuse that has become so prevalent on social media platforms. Social media can play a very positive role in sport, widening its audience and connecting fans with their heroes in a way that was never possible before. However, players and supporters alike must be able to use these platforms safe in the knowledge they do not risk the prospect of facing appalling abuse”.
Cricket stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the football community in taking part in a social media boycott this weekend.
No one should have to suffer abuse, racism or harassment on social media because they play, or are involved in professional sport.
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) April 28, 2021
Wayne Morris – the Chair of Premiership Rugby’s Diversity and Inclusion Group – also voiced his support by announcing that Rugby teams would also participate in the boycott:
“Premiership Rugby is committed to tackling the major issues that sport and society are facing. These issues are important to the longer-term future of our sport, but equally have a major impact on the communities we operate in”.
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