Aston Villa have condemned the “appalling” and “vile” racist abuse aimed at defender Tyrone Mings. England international Mings spoke out after being sent a sickening racist message on social media.
Tyrone Mings said: “Another day in the life of social media with no filter. Please don’t feel sorry for us, just stand side by side in the fight for change. Social media isn’t getting any safer without it.”
Villa have now issued a strongly-worded statement in support of Mings.
Aston Villa said: “Aston Villa is disgusted by the appalling racist abuse directed towards Tyrone Mings on social media. In the early hours of this morning, Tyrone received an abhorrent and vile private message on his social media account. We condemn all forms of racial discrimination and will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Tyrone, who is an inspirational figure at the forefront of the fight against racism. The club will continue to work closely with the Premier League, football authorities and social media platforms to tackle this disgraceful online behaviour.”
Earlier this month, Mings was asked about the prospect of clubs and players boycotting social media in a bid to tackle online abuse.
Tyrone Mings said: “I think it might get to a stage where the only alternative, if social media companies aren’t doing enough, is that we show unity and all come off, and by all I mean the clubs as well. If the club’s aren’t posting anything, the fans have nothing to engage with unfortunately, and obviously these social media platforms are engagement driven and viewer driven. But how do you make your point heard? How do you get people to take you seriously? Sometimes you have to hit those companies where it hurts and that’s in their profit and their engagement. Who knows maybe it might get to that one day, I hope it doesn’t, I hope they are proactive in dealing with online abuse, but I certainly respect what Thierry Henry has done (in boycotting social media).”
