Soccer players demand change for rampant online racist abuse, turn to AI for protection
Online racist abuse of soccer players is prolific on social media platforms
By STEVE DOUGLAS and JEROME PUGMIRE
Published - Jun 06, 2023, 12:06 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 21, 2023, 12:35 PM EDT
LONDON (AP) — Missing penalties in a major international soccer final was bad enough for three Black players on England’s national team. Being subjected to a torrent of racial abuse on social media in the aftermath made it even worse.
Monkey emojis. Being told to go home. The N-word.
The even sadder part? Everyone knew it was coming.
“It’s stupid,” said Nedum Onuoha, a retired Black player who was in the top divisions of English and U.S. soccer for 16 years. “But are we surprised?”
