Queens Park Rangers winger Bright Osayi-Samuel has revealed he was racially abused on social media after the side’s 1-1 draw against Norwich City on Tuesday night.
Osayi-Samuel scored QPR’s equalising goal from the spot in the game
The 22-year-old posted on his Instagram account a screenshot of the abuse he had received, describing it as “disgusting and painful to receive messages like this”.
The message also included threats to his family.
In a statement to Sky Sports News on Wednesday morning, QPR CEO Lee Hoos said: “We completely deplore the abhorrent abuse Bright has been subjected to.
“It astounds me that people feel they can freely post such comments without any fear of reprisal.
“We are working with Instagram and asking them to assist us in identifying the individual concerned.
“I do feel social media platforms have a duty of care to its users who are victimised in this way.”
When approached by Sky Sports News, Instagram said: “This contravenes our community standards. We will be taking action against the account and post.”
QPR director of football Les Ferdinand added: “This type of abuse on social media is too commonplace and has to stop.
“In a society that now rightly places greater importance on mental wellbeing than ever before, how can people be able to set up anonymous social media accounts?
“This will continue and continue until we stop it from being possible.
“I believe governing bodies across sport – not just football – need to come together to create a powerful voice which calls for social media platforms to change their stance.”
2 Comments
white people can never change
Sad. Culprits should be identified and punished