Newcastle United has taken action following a wave of racist abuse directed at midfielder Joe Willock. The club reported the matter to the police after an anonymous Instagram account targeted the player with a series of vile messages following the Magpies’ 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on March 10, 2024. Willock, who is 26 years old, shared screengrabs of the offensive messages on his social media, highlighting the distressing nature of the abuse.
In a statement, Newcastle expressed their outrage, saying, “We are disgusted by the racist abuse received by Joe Willock on Instagram on Sunday evening.” The club detailed that Willock received several direct messages containing racial slurs and alarming threats directed towards him and his family. They have pledged to support any police investigation aimed at identifying the person responsible for this abuse.
Willock responded to the hateful messages by posting, “I pray you and your family find God. And may him have mercy on you.” This incident marks the second time in under a year that Willock has faced similar racist messages. In February 2023, the player was also targeted on Instagram after a loss to Fulham, leading Newcastle to contact the authorities then as well.
Call for Action from Social Media Companies
Newcastle United has called on social media companies, particularly Meta, to take stronger measures in combating online abuse. In their statement, the club emphasized the need for meaningful action to protect players and to hold accountable those who exploit these platforms for harassment. They urged Meta to provide law enforcement with all necessary information to identify the perpetrator swiftly.
“Removing content and applying message filters is not enough,” the statement asserted. “Social media companies must do more to protect users and support the prosecution of those who seek to break the law on their platforms.” Newcastle reiterated their support for Willock and anyone else who experiences such abuse.
The anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out also expressed their outrage at the abuse directed towards Willock. A spokesperson for the organization noted, “We have seen a surge in online abuse being reported to us this season, and there is no sign of it slowing down.” They highlighted the concerning trend of increasing hateful messages within the realm of sports.
As of now, Joe Willock has participated in 10 Premier League matches this season, marking his sixth year with Newcastle United. The club’s commitment to taking action against racism reflects a broader movement within football to address and eliminate such behavior from the sport.
Newcastle United’s proactive stance may serve as a catalyst for further dialogue on how social media platforms can better protect individuals from online harassment and ensure a safer environment for all users.
