League One owner claims Sunderland and their rivals could unite for seven-day social media boycott next week

That’s according to Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony who says there is talk that all clubs could sign up to the boycott.

Athletes across all sports have vociferously called for social media platforms to take heavier action against anonymous accounts who send abusive messages.

Championship clubs Swansea City and Birmingham City, plus players from Scottish Premier League champions Rangers – who saw Glen Kamara and Kemar Roofe abused online after the Sparta Prague game – took the decision last week to stay off Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for seven days.

More clubs could now follow suit too, with MacAnthony suggesting that all clubs in the top four tiers could take part in a collective boycott next week.

“I feel for the players. For them to suffer such horrific abuse in this day and age is simply unbelievable,” he said, speaking on the latest edition of his ‘Hard Truth’ podcast.

“There is talk of a social media blackout and we will sign up for it. It’s probably going to happen next week, but sadly the likes of Jack Dorsey (Twitter CEO) and Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) won’t give two hoots.

“They should be doing more to stop the root cause of the abuse.

“The other day (American politician) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suffered some criticism on social media and one of the guys who delivered it soon had the police knocking his door. Who gave the police the man’s details?

“And yet the details of the animals and the scumbags who abuse our sportsmen are hidden. Why aren’t the police knockong on those doors? Because they aren’t given the information that’s why.

“I can’t stand ‘Big Tech’. They can interfere in politics and help win elections, but they can’t do more to end this awful racism towards sports stars?

“It would be the easiest thing in the world for filters to be in place to locate certain words and for action to be taken.

“‘Big tech’ could stop the abuse in an instant, but they won’t.”

A message from the Football Clubs Editor:

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor