)
Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters was subjected to online racist abuse following the club’s goalless draw against Manchester United on Sunday.
Southampton have contacted the police after the club’s defender Kyle Walker-Peters received racist abuse on social media, the Premier League club said on Monday.
Southampton take action after racist abuse aimed at Kyle Walker-Peters
Walker-Peters received a barrage of abuse online after his challenge on United's young winger Alejandro Garnacho forced him off with what now appears to be a possible long-term injury.
)
Garnacho, who has been a shining light for the Red Devils this season, contributing four goals and four assists, left Old Trafford on crutches with Ten Hag confirming he had twisted his ankle.
"In February 2021 the club made a statement about one of our young players receiving abhorrent racial abuse following a match against Manchester United," Southampton said in a statement.
"More than two years on, we find ourselves in the exact same position, disgusted and disappointed in the behaviour of those online who lower themselves to abusing players for the colour of their skin.
"What is equally frustrating is the lack of meaningful action in those two years from the social media platforms who allow such hatred to breed and fester."
Southampton revealed that the horrible and vile messages have been forwarded to Hampshire Police while they have also taken adequate measures to report the posts to the relevant social media platforms.
"We can only hope that they finally pay attention to what continues to be a major problem and that we do not find ourselves repeating these words in another two years time," the club added.
Meta, which owns Instagram, said they have been in touch with the club and removed a number of comments from the platform for breaking their rules.
"Over the last few years, we've launched several ways to help protect people from having to experience abuse in the first place, including our Hidden Words feature which lets people filter offensive comments and DMs," a Meta spokesperson said.
"We recently started turning this on by default for people with creator accounts. No one thing will fix this overnight, but we'll continue to work to help protect our community from abuse and respond to valid legal requests to support police investigations."
Red Devils' struggles continue
Meanwhile, United who were thumped 7-0 by Liverpool a week ago, dropped points again to a stubborn Southampton side making it an almost impossible task for Ten Hag’s men to win the league this season.
The game was marred by the red card Casemiro received after a high tackle on Carlos Alcaraz which now sees the Brazilian midfielder miss the next four domestic games for Ten Hag’s men.
'Referee influenced the game' — Erik ten Hag on the draw against Southampton
Related content
)
17:01 - 12.03.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Casemiro sent off as Manchester United drop points again
Casemiro picked up his second red card of the season to make life difficult for Manchester United as they could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to struggling Southampton.
)
19:00 - 11.03.2023
FOOTBALL Transfer Gossip: Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool to battle for Cameroon’s youngster
The teenager is currently contracted with French Ligue 1 side Lille.
)
09:17 - 11.03.2023
FOOTBALL Transfer Gossip: Neymar and Mbappe set to leave PSG, Manchester United eye Dybala
The French side has, however, been linked with a Manchester United defender.
)
09:43 - 11.03.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE FIFA proposes ‘mercy rule’ after watching Liverpool humiliate Manchester United
Former world best referee Pierluigi Collina says FIFA will consider a new rule for referees after Liverpool thrashed Manchester United at Anfield.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)