Newcastle United have taken to condemn a number of racist messages sent to Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock after beating Arsenal.
Anthony Gordon scored the only goal of the game at St James’ Park on Saturday night, but it was a controversial one of that, see more on that HERE.
The meeting had been a chaotic one of that with tempers flaring up on both sides throughout, with Guimaraes angering Arsenal and their supporters after appearing to elbow Jorginho, and Newcastle previously enraged at a challenge by Kai Havertz.
Arsenal felt aggrieved by the decisions that went against them, with supporters, players and manager Mikel Arteta fuming after Gordon’s winner was allowed to stand.
Many felt the ball went out of play in the build-up, while Arsenal players also complained that Gordon was offside.
It took VAR as long as four minutes to decide to give the goal and spark wild celebrations in the home stands.
Newcastle United strongly condemns racist abuse sent to Bruno Guimarães and Joe Willock via social media following yesterday’s victory over Arsenal.
Our message is clear. There is no room for racism in football or society.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 5, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
Newcastle United strongly condemns racist abuse sent to Bruno Guimarães and Joe Willock via social media following Saturday’s victory over Arsenal.
Our message is clear. There is no room for racism in football or society.
We are providing support to Bruno and Joe and will work with relevant authorities and social media platforms to identify those responsible so that they can be held to account.
Ex-Arsenal player Willock uploaded screenshots of the abuse he was sent on his Instagram account on to his story.
“It’s a game of football mate no need for this,” Willock wrote on the story.
He then reposted a photo of Newcastle fans previously holding up a large banner reading ‘show racism the red card’.
Kick It Out wrote: “We send our support to Newcastle’s Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes after they became the latest players to be targeted with disgusting racial abuse on social media.
“Sadly, this has been an almost weekly occurrence this season, and the costs on players’ mental health are huge. That is why the new Online Safety Act must click into gear as soon as possible so that players are better protected.
“Social media companies cannot continue to allow this to happen without consequence, but they can offer better safeguards right now.”
The Premier League said: “Racism has no place in our game or anywhere in society. We offer our full support to Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock, and Newcastle United.
“The Premier League condemns any form of discriminatory abuse and actively works with all players, clubs, platforms, and authorities to help bring offenders of hate crime to justice.”
Report racism to the Premier League
Fans can now report online discriminatory abuse they see targeted at Premier League players, managers, coaches, match officials and their families directly at premierleague.com/reportracism. Each report will be investigated by the League’s specialist team.
Through its online abuse reporting system, which launched in 2020, the Premier League provides support for players and others within football who suffer online hate. The League’s dedicated investigation team tracks abuse and reports it to social media companies for removal. The team also works to identify perpetrators around the world, with legal action taken where possible. In the past three seasons, the Premier League has investigated more than 1,000 cases.
Discriminatory abuse is illegal, causes hurt to those targeted and damages football. The Premier League and clubs are committed to working with the authorities to bring offenders to justice and have introduced tougher sanctions. Those identified and found guilty of discrimination will face punishment, including automatic stadium bans and legal prosecution. This can affect education and employment opportunities and could lead to custodial sentences.
Along with the other English football authorities, the League has lobbied the UK Government in the development of the Online Safety Bill, which was passed recently. We will continue to work proactively with the Government, regulators and social media companies to ensure that combatting discriminatory abuse remains a priority.
Fans who experience or witness discrimination while at a Premier League match should contact the nearest steward or police officer, or report it by using clubs’ confidential text services, which can also be found at premierleague.com/reportracism.
No Room For Racism Action Plan
The ongoing No Room For Racism initiative brings together all the work the Premier League undertakes to tackle discrimination and promote equality. In February 2021, the League launched its No Room For Racism Action Plan, which outlines a series of commitments and targets to promote equality, diversity and inclusion and increase opportunities across the game.
As part of this month’s No Room For Racism activity, a film has been created to showcase the importance of diversity on the pitch and how that has played such a pivotal role in the Premier League era, with players from 121 different nations represented since 1992.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “Football is a global game which brings together communities and cultures, uniting people of all backgrounds. There is no doubt that this diversity has helped make the Premier League what it is and we are committed to ensuring this is reflected across all areas of the game.
“Through our No Room For Racism Action Plan, we are working hard to increase opportunities for people from under-represented groups within football, which includes the development of enhanced coaching and executive pathways.
Twitter users reacted as Newcastle condemn racist messages sent to Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock after beating Arsenal…
@DanielB699: Irrespective to how the game played out, or the outcome in the end. There is no place for this.. and the irony is, if Saka scores the winner yesterday.. they are singing his name. 😔
@dacodac: I stand against racist abuse
@Memecastle_Utd: Arsenal fans showed their true colours last night. Embarrassing behaviour from the majority and disgusting from the few that decided to racially abuse our players. Hope the police catch up with them and ban them for life.
@jamiefisher222: Willock was born and raised as a gunner too, for his own to be racist towards him shows their true colours. least we’ll support him and love him the way he deserves.
@TomCom86136845: Arsenal fans again. Awful 😡
@LaneHusband1: Trace them, ban them from all future games and prosecute them. Unacceptable.
@nufcpb: Football is never ever this serious man some of you need to grow up
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