Queens Park Rangers of England winger, Bright Osayi-Samuel has gained support from his English Championship club’s top brass and other sources, following the allegations he raised about racist comments directed at him by fans of Norwich City, megasportsaena.com reports.
While human rights bodies spoke out against the abuse, QPR issued a strong statement that they are standing by their player, after Osayi-Samuel revealed that he was attacked racially on social media, following his wonderful performance in his side’s 1-1 draw with Norwich on Tuesday night.
After the match, in which Osayi-Samuel scored QPR’s equaliser from the penalty spot, the 22-year-old posted on his Instagram account a screenshot of the abuse he had received, while stating that it was disgusting and painful to receive such type of messages.
He went on to further disclose that the message also included threats to his family, following which a top shot at QPR lent moral and verbal support to Osayi-Samuel, who disclosed that he was in pain after being the subject of racist abuse on social media.
This comes at a point Tottenham Hotspur defender, Ryan Sessegnon recently spoke out about similar abuse he was subjected to on social media after making his debut for TSG Hoffenheim of Germany during his season-long loan spell with the Bundesliga club.
A Professional Footballers’ Association survey and answers to a questionnaire they distributed among clubs in England has shown that players overwhelmingly support requests that they should continue to take a knee.
The PFA sent a questionnaire to all its members asking whether it should continue after a series of incidents where fans booed the anti-racism gesture, and the results showed that 80 per cent of players ‘support continuing solidarity despite any adverse responses that may be received.
QPR’s chief executive, Lee Hoos said: “We completely deplore the abhorrent abuse Bright has been subjected to. It astounds me that people feel they can freely post such comments without any fear of reprisal.
“We are working with Instagram and asking them to assist us in identifying the individual concerned. I do feel social media platforms have a duty of care to its users who are victimised in this way.”
The Hoops’ director of football, Les Ferdinand added: “This type of abuse on social media is too commonplace and has to stop. In a society that now rightly places greater importance on mental wellbeing than ever before, how can people be able to set up anonymous social media accounts?
“This will continue and continue until we stop it from being possible. I believe governing bodies across sport — not just football — need to come together to create a powerful voice which calls for social media platforms to change their stance.”
Norwich also offered their support to Osayi-Samuel, as The Canaries stated on Twitter: “No one should receive abuse like this. Our thoughts are with Bright at this time. Win, lose or draw – we’re all on the same side.”
