URGENT UPDATE: Newcastle United has taken immediate action against the vile racist abuse directed at midfielder Joe Willock following the team’s 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on October 29, 2023. The club has contacted police after Willock, 26, revealed he received a series of racist messages on Instagram just hours after the match.
In a powerful statement, Newcastle United expressed their outrage: “We are disgusted by the racist abuse received by Joe Willock on Instagram on Sunday evening.” The club confirmed that Willock was targeted with racial slurs and threats of violence against him and his family through an anonymous Instagram account. The severity of the messages has prompted the club to fully support police investigations to identify the perpetrator.
After sharing screenshots of the abusive messages, Willock responded with a poignant message of compassion: “I pray you and your family find God. And may him have mercy on you.” This marks the second instance in less than a year that Willock has faced such appalling abuse; he was similarly targeted after a 2-1 defeat against Fulham in February 2022, which also led to police involvement.
Newcastle United is now calling on social media giants, particularly Meta (the parent company of Instagram), to take more decisive action to protect players and hold abusers accountable. Their statement emphasized, “This can only happen with meaningful action from Meta. We urge them to provide police with all necessary information to identify the perpetrator swiftly. Removing content and applying message filters is not enough; social media companies must do more to protect users and support prosecution.”
The urgency of the situation has drawn the attention of anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, whose representatives expressed their disgust over the increasing volume of racist messages reported. A spokesperson stated, “We have seen a surge in online abuse being reported to us this season, and there is no sign of it slowing down.”
Willock, who has played in 10 Premier League matches this season, continues to be a target for online hate as he strives to make a positive impact on the pitch. Newcastle United stands firmly with him and all players facing similar abuse, insisting that change is essential in social media policy.
As the situation develops, Newcastle United and Willock seek not only justice but also a wider awareness of the issue of online racism in sports. The club has reached out to Meta for comment, highlighting the pressing need for effective measures against online hate.
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