Rio Ferdinand bemoans rise of racist abuse directed at footballers online

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has called on social media companies to do more to combat the rise in abuse footballers are subjected to online.

The former England defender, who earned 81 caps for the Three Lions, pointed out that social media companies are quick to act when copyright claims are lodged around misuse of music.

Posts that are copyright claimed are typically removed very quickly and Ferdinand wants to see that same technology used to significantly reduce the number of racist posts directed at footballers.

'In my time, you play 90 minutes,' he told ITV's This Morning, 'and there can be a bit of abuse but you can go home and that's it. Now , there's social media and you get all of that.

'But when you post a song that's wrong, they take it down straight away, so the technology is there.'

Ferdinand added that a prominent example was in the not-so-distant past when England trio Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were targeted after missing penalties in the final of Euro 2020.

'We only have to look back at the three black players that missed penalties for England in the Euros and the treatment that they got,' he said.

'There are still racial slurs that are still there - some going back 10 years - they are still on [social media] platforms for people to see.'

Rashford, Sancho and Saka were subjected to a barrage of abuse after missing penalties in England's Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy, with just four men convicted one year later.

The proposed Online Safety Bill would impose a greater duty of care on tech companies to tackle abuse on their platforms, and includes the power to fine those that do not comply.

It was due for the next phase of discussion in Parliament this summer but has been delayed multiple times since.

Racism is one of the key topics Ferdinand explores in his new three-part Prime Video documentary series Tipping Point, premiering on Friday, with the other two instalments focusing on mental health and sexuality within the football ecosystem.

In the first episode, Ferdinand takes a trip to Los Angeles to speak with former Lioness Eniola Aluko, now director of recruitment at National Women's Soccer League side Angel City.

Aluko, who has testified in front of Parliament on racism and inclusion matters, tells Ferdinand she feels American athletes have made more progress in using their profile to tackle hate.

Ferdinand wants to play an active role in helping current players, as well as continuing to force the issue with technology giants to better utilise their powers to combat racism.

He has set up what might be the most powerful WhatsApp group in football, with members including Wilfried Zaha, Romelu Lukaku, Ian Wright, Hope Powell and Peter Crouch among those actively planning how to harness their collective power - something Ferdinand believes is fundamental to influencing stakeholders.