South Tyneside clubs to join football's social media boycott to give online abuse a red card

South Shields FC and Hebburn Town FC are among non-league sides set to join Premier League, English Football League and Women’s Super League clubs in a boycott of social media platforms as football takes a stand against online abuse.

The boycott will see clubs and governing bodies go silent on social media from 3pm on April 30 until 11.59 on May 3 as the game pushes for social media giants to take action against online abuse.

The boycott will coincide with Hebburn Town’s FA Vase final match against Consett AFC, meaning the club will be taking part in a partial boycott, ending on Sunday May 2, so it can keep fans up to date with the final.

A club statement from Hebburn Town said: “Hebburn Town football club fully support the reasoning behind the boycott campaign whilst also condemning online abuse of any nature. The reason behind the club supporting a partial boycott of social media and not the full boycott planned is a result of the club travelling and taking part in the biggest game in it's 109 year history as we participate in the postponed 2019/20 Non-League Finals day in the FA Vase Final held at Wembley Stadium.

“This is a HUGE occasion for the club, our fans and general non-league fans across the country and we feel it vitally important that our loyal spectator fan base are kept up to date via our social media channels as the team travel and participate in the match itself.”

South Shields FC will be taking part in the full boycott, with a statement on Twitter saying: “We will join clubs, leagues, participants and organisations by taking part in football's nationwide social media boycott from 3pm on Friday until 11.59pm on Monday.

“It's time to unite. It's time for action. It's time for the abuse to stop.”

The boycott has been planned to put pressure on social media companies Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to take action against online abuse and discrimination on its platforms.

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