EPL

Extent of abusive tweets sent to Premier League footballers every day revealed by Ofcom study

By Sports Desk August 02, 2022

A study from Ofcom ahead of the new season has found that seven out of 10 Premier League footballers have been abused on Twitter.

It also revealed that 362 tweets containing abuse are sent to Premier League players every day, and that eight out of the top 10 Premier League players most abused online played for Manchester United last season.

Half of the derogatory tweets were targeted at just 12 players, with United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire receiving the most abuse.

Other players in the top 10 included Bruno Fernandes, Fred, David de Gea, Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Harry Kane and Jack Grealish.

In the report, Ofcom's Group Director for Broadcasting and Online Content Kevin Bakhurst said: "Football is a game of high emotion, pride and belonging.

"Sometimes that emotion can cross the line. Over the years, football has made great strides in tackling unacceptable behaviour by small minorities, which can blight the game for everyone else.

"This kind of abuse has no place in sport, any more than in wider society.

"Reports such as this will help us to understand the problem, hold tech firms to account when we take on our new responsibilities, and ultimately create a safer life online."

Related items

  • Mbappe getting 'up to speed' with Real Madrid team-mates Mbappe getting 'up to speed' with Real Madrid team-mates

    Kylian Mbappe believes he is finally getting up to speed with his Real Madrid team-mates after scoring in a 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganes on Sunday.

    Mbappe, who had played in a central attacking role since joining from Paris Saint-Germain, went four games without scoring in all competitions before netting the opener against Leganes.

    The 25-year-old has come under scrutiny since his move, despite scoring eight goals in his opening 16 matches in all competitions, as he has not hit the free-scoring heights he showed while at PSG.

    He scored his seventh league goal of the campaign after being moved back to his preferred position on the left, with Carlo Ancelotti saying after the game he was satisfied with the tactical shift.

    Mbappe combined well with fellow attacker Vinicius Junior, who usually operates down that flank, as the Brazilian set up the goal. 

    "Vinicius and I read each other very well. I've got a great relationship with him, and he's a great player," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV after the win.

    "I think I put in a good performance. I'm starting to get up to speed with my team-mates. I can play in every position, and I'm ready to help the team and give my all.

    "It's the story of my career. I play on the right, on the left, in the middle and with two up top. It doesn't matter to me. I want to help the team and score goals."

    Madrid are second in the league, four points behind Barcelona, who have played one game more. The leaders drew 2-2 at Celta Vigo on Saturday.

  • LA Galaxy 6-2 Minnesota United: Hosts through to Western Conference final with rout LA Galaxy 6-2 Minnesota United: Hosts through to Western Conference final with rout

    LA Galaxy booked their place in the Western Conference final with a thumping 6-2 victory over Minnesota United at Dignity Health Sports Park.

    It was a dream start for the Galaxy, who took just 27 seconds to break the deadlock – Gabriel Pec latched onto Riqui Puig's throughball before turning his marker to coolly slot past Dayne St. Clair.

    Kelvin Yeboah restored parity five minutes later with a superb finish into the top corner, but Dejan Joveljic ensured they were not level for long, rising high to send a glancing header into the net.

    Joseph Paintsil cushioned in a third at the far post in the 37th minute, though the Galaxy would only have a one-goal cushion at the break as Yeboah scored from the spot on the second attempt after John McCarthy had come off his line too early on the initial penalty.

    Joveljic, who gave away Minnesota's spot-kick, rattled the woodwork moments after the break before Pec bagged his second with a strong finish in another quick start.

    Jefferson Diaz received his first booking for fouling Pec in the penalty area, though the Brazilian saw his spot-kick saved, and got his marching orders five minutes later for catching Pec again with his elbow.

    The Galaxy then rounded it off in style, with Paintsil curling it past St. Clair 86 minutes in before Joveljic got his second three minutes later to set up a home clash with Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

    Data Debrief: Goals galore

    The Galaxy scored nine goals in their first-round games against Colorado Rapids, and showed no signs of stopping against Minnesota either, as they extended their scoring run to 24 home games in MLS. 

    Pec's goal is the earliest they have scored last season, while it is the ninth time the 23-year-old has opened the scoring for Greg Vanney's side in the competition. In Pec and Joveljic, the Galaxy have two players currently on 19 goals for the campaign.

    It is the first time LA Galaxy have scored six goals in a game since September 2019 against Sporting Kansas City (W7-2).

  • Mbappe position switch works wonders for Ancelotti Mbappe position switch works wonders for Ancelotti

    Carlo Ancelotti was satisfied his tactical decision to switch Kylian Mbappe's position in attack paid off in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Leganes.

    Mbappe scored his seventh goal of the season to help Madrid to a comfortable victory in LaLiga on Sunday.

    However, his position in Madrid's front line has been a topic of debate since he joined the Spanish champions, with Mbappe having often played out wide while at Paris Saint-Germain.

    And Ancelotti elected to switch Mbappe out to the left flank against Leganes, with Vinicius Junior spearheading Los Blancos' attack.

    "Mbappe played on the left side, where he did well, and Vinicius on the inside," Ancelotti told reporters.

    "We have to highlight their play to open the scoring. They did very, very well. Mbappe scored, after a fantastic assist from Vinicius. Little by little, they're both improving.

    "Kylian is more used to playing there and today, for the team and for him, it was the best thing.

    "Because playing on the outside brings more effort and Vinicius was back on Thursday. Meanwhile, Kylian had been training here for a week and a half, he was fresher."

    Mbappe was not called up by France coach Didier Deschamps for this month's Nations League games, despite being Les Bleus' captain.

    With an injury crisis at the back and a trip to Anfield to face Premier League and Champions League leaders Liverpool coming up, Ancelotti added he was hopeful of Lucas Vazquez, who has a hamstring strain, and Aurelien Tchouameni, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle, returning to action.

    He was also upbeat about the contribution of Federico Valverde, who scored from a free-kick while filling in at right-back.

    "The truth is that Fede, at the back, has done very well," said Ancelotti of the Uruguayan, who also wore the captain's armband. 

    "He's a fantastic fullback. After Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, the best right-back in the world. His problem is that he can play at this level in many positions and is the coach's problem to choose the best position for the team.

    "Let's see if Lucas and Tchouameni can recover. If not, we will make decisions."

    Jude Bellingham netted Madrid's other goal as Ancelotti's team closed to within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Saturday.

    Madrid also have a game in hand on Hansi Flick's side.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.