Celtic outline 'horrendous abuse' reasons behind social media shutdown and call for end to 'racial and sectarian attacks'

Celtic will be among the Scottish clubs to turn off their social media channels this weekend, and though the club admits the online platforms are a ‘powerful tool’, joining the action across Scotland is a bid to stop attacks and abuse on staff, players and supporters.

General view inside the stadium ahead of the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Celtic and Hamilton Academical at Celtic Park Stadium on August 02, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/Pool via Getty Images)

Old Firm rivals Rangers took a similar step earlier this month when players at Obrox switched off their accounts and refused to post online for a week, in a bid to raise awareness of the ongoing abuse online – particularly racial hatred shown towards players including Kemar Roofe and Glen Kamara.

This weekend Scottish football is coming together, as are clubs in England, for a period of social media silence hoping to add volume to their message.

The SPFL announced the joint initiative on Wednesday and Celtic were among those to take part – and detailed their support in a website statement during the week.

It read: “As a club who has welcomed all since 1888, we are pleased to support this collective campaign.

“Sadly, through various social media platforms Celtic players, staff and supporters for some time have been subjected to racial and sectarian attacks and horrendous personal abuse - something which simply has to stop.

“Abusing someone because of the colour of their skin, abusing an individual due to their religion, unacceptable personal attacks or pathetically mocking the death of a loved one - our players, staff and supporters have, tragically, experienced it all through social media.

“We must all make a stand and together defeat this negative, damaging behaviour which inflicts so much harm.

“Social media can be an important, powerful tool. Let's use it properly.”

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