Aaron Ramsdale has spoken out to address the abuse he and others have faced as section of online Arsenal supporters continue to go unopposed.
Aaron Ramsdale demonstrated his exemplary maturity and honesty with his piece in The Player’s Tribune. It was one of the most powerful, humble and enlightening reads I have ever had the pleasure to come across.
Football and the social media world with which it has become intertwined is something I personally feel so very strongly about. I have experienced a mere fraction of the online abuse that I know Aaron has suffered and that in itself has been a tough challenge.
The lack of consequences for actions online and the blatant ignorance of those who have the power to make change happen are a mystery I struggle with every day. The line between criticism and abuse is often described as being a fine one, but in reality, it simply isn’t.
Aaron describes the types of messages he’s received online and at no point are any of these 'critical'. Criticism might come from analysis of performance or player comparisons after both strong and/or below-expectation performances and be warranted if worded appropriately.
Criticism shouldn't be discouraged – this is football and it is a sport all about opinions. I’d be out of a job if criticism couldn’t be freely expressed.
But what perhaps many fail to understand is that freedom of speech doesn’t equate to freedom from scrutiny. There’s a responsibility when it comes to using your words and Ramsdale talks revealingly about what he has experienced and sadly what is surely still to come in the wake of his article.
"After I publish this letter, as sad as it is to say, I know that I will receive messages about my wife, and about my brother," he said. "Other players receive even worse messages, especially my Black teammates. For some reason, the social media companies don’t seem to have any interest in stopping it."
With family members of my own who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I know of, but will never truly personally experience, the challenges they face. Aaron’s words about his brother hit home, and it meant a lot to read them.
I remember speaking to him after his brilliant clean sheet against Leeds United at Elland Road and asking him if a game like this would be enough to change Gareth Southgate’s mind about England's No.1 spot. He was quick to give the response that one game changes nothing.
Lastly, I would like to add that it was heartbreaking to read of what Ramsdale and his family have endured this past year and I am truly thrilled to hear that his wife Georgina is pregnant again, and I know I speak for everyone at football.london when I say we wish them both all the very best for the future.
This open letter from Aaron needs to not be the end of a chapter regarding his experiences with and highlighting online abuse and even physical assault, but the increased communication of it. There needs to be greater scrutiny of online and audible abuse on the internet and in the stadiums.
Hearing from players about these experiences is only a benefit to the cause. Jorginho recently took part in a television advert for the UEFA Real Scars campaign, which millions of supporters would have seen.
Whilst the challenge to take these issues on is a monumental one and requires collaboration from platforms that have shown little-to-no real willingness to act, the work of Aaron and others is vital. That phrase again that freedom of speech does not mean freedom from scrutiny is appropriate here and it is people’s words and actions that need to face greater consequence.
If you see it, hear it or witness it then please get in contact with the relevant authorities. Report online abuse, make stadium stewards aware of incidents and help the fight against abuse.
Aaron is part of the Hope United squad, a cause which is designed to educate people on online hate such as sexism and homophobia and how it can be tackled. As a collaborator with Hope United myself, I know of the benefit and would encourage others to engage with it when necessary.