Sheffield United striker Rhian Brewster has revealed he has become the latest footballer to suffer racial abuse on social media.
The 20-year-old former Liverpool forward has made public an abusive message he received on his Instagram account.
United have thrown their support behind the player and called on authorities to take action.
As a club we applaud Rhian for bringing the disgusting message sent to him to light.
We will now support him and work with him, the Premier League and all the relevant authorities to ensure the person behind this post is brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/20f3bm5MSI— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) March 19, 2021
Advertisement
The Blades tweeted: “As a club we applaud Rhian for bringing the disgusting message sent to him to light.
“We will now support him and work with him, the Premier League and all the relevant authorities to ensure the person behind this post is brought to justice.”
The Premier League also backed the player and the club’s stance.
“The #PL stands alongside @SheffieldUnited and Rhian Brewster in opposing this abuse and discrimination. There is #NoRoomForRacism in football, or anywhere,” it tweeted.
Instagram’s owner Facebook announced last month it would impose stricter penalties on perpetrators of abuse, including removing accounts.
Instagram did not comment directly on the Brewster issue when contacted by the PA news agency but said players are urged to report such matters to them so their procedures can be initiated.
It said attacks on protected characteristics including race, religion, nationality and sexual orientation will not be tolerated.
Brewster is one of a number of players to have been racially abused on social media in recent months, including Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Axel Tuanzebe, Antonio Rudiger, Reece James and Eddie Nketiah.
