Phil SumblerA month or so back I was invited to write an article for the online fanzine “A Touch Far Vetched” which I did gladly and there was no doubt in my mind as to the topic that I wanted to write about.
The article (which you can read on the ATFV website here) was entitled “Back to our roots” and covered off what I saw clearly as the club coming slowly back to be a community club, an identity that I think we lost in the Premier League era of multi million pound deals.
It referenced several things that have happened in lockdown and the past twelve months – tributes to those Swans fans who have passed, recognition of those who make a difference in the community, personal messages to those who needed it the most were just examples of what we did (and still do) well.
So today it was with an element of huge pride that our football club was the first to take a stand against social media companies and shut down their social media channels for one week as a “club-wide stance in the battle against abuse and discrimination of all forms on social media.”
Swansea players Yan Dhanda, Ben Cabango and Jamal Lowe have all been on the receiving end of online discrimination in recent weeks and it is absolutely right that the Swans took the first stance on this – a stance that was quickly followed by Birmingham City and Glasgow Rangers.
The club statement read “As a football club, we have seen several of our players subjected to abhorrent abuse in the past seven weeks alone, and we feel it is right to take a stand against behaviour that is a blight on our sport, and society at large.
“We will always be unwavering in our support of our players, staff, supporters and the community that we proudly represent, and we are united as a club on this issue.
“We also want to stand with players from other clubs who have had to endure vile discrimination on social media platforms.
“As a club we are also acutely aware of how social media can impact on the mental health of players and staff, and we hope our strong stance will highlight the wider effects of abuse.”
Swansea manager Steve Cooper used his afternoon press conference to back the club wide decision when he said “It’s been a powerful decision and hopefully it’s gained a lot of traction. Even if it helps a small bit then that’ll be a good thing.
“First and foremost we want to show the support internally. We want to join the bigger fight against discrimination in general.
“If this gets people thinking about what else can be done, then good.
“It would be great (if others joined Swansea), but it’s a club prerogative with how they deal with forms of discrimination.”
It is superb that two clubs have already followed suit but it is time that the rest joined in. The hashtag is simple and supported completely by all of us
#ENOUGHISENOUGH
