QPR issue a statement after disgusting abusive messages were sent and aimed at Paul Smyth and his family earlier this week.
A faceless Instagram profile, with the username ‘ecoshitland’, still remains live but is set to private, with no posts, no followers, but follows 8 profiles.
Paul Smyth took a screenshot of the lengthy message he received, and captioned it with the shrug emoji. QPR are working with the league and social media platform to identify the abuser.
CLUB STATEMENT:
Queens Park Rangers Football Club completely condemns the disgusting abuse Paul Smyth and his family have been subjected to on Instagram.
We are working closely with The EFL and the social media platform as we look to identify the individual concerned.
Should we be successful, the perpetrator will be banned from MATRADE Loftus Road for life.
Sadly, violent verbal and social media abuse of players and staff has increased in football in recent years which does nothing other than negatively impact a club’s chances of success.
Everyone is grateful for the support being shown to Paul and his family by genuine fans.
A statement from QPR. pic.twitter.com/pP7fwdCw9J
— QPR FC (@QPR) January 2, 2026
It comes after days after he signed a contract extension, saying in his announcement: “I’m absolutely delighted. When I first came to QPR in 2017, I was young, very naïve and I didn’t know what to expect.
“It was quite tough for me to get used to how England was and it was a learning curve for me. I went on loan a couple of times and it was tough, but that made me who I am today.
“When I got the chance to come back in 2023, it was a no-brainer – it was the right decision and I haven’t looked back since.
“We’ve got a lot of competition in each position, which is good. You want competition. You want someone to push you harder and push you to perform better every single game.
“If you don’t, you’ll be taken out. That’s football.
“This year, we’ve got a really strong squad and a lot of good players – for me, we have five wingers, so I know I have to be on my game every single day. All the other wingers know that too.
“That is what football is all about.”
As he looks to the future, Smyth admits his primary target is to be the best he can be.
“I just want to continue what I’m doing, performing and playing well,” he said. “Each year I want to play as many games as possible, help the team as much as I can and contribute as much as I can.”
On the fans: “They’re brilliant. They’ve supported me since I joined the club. The first time I was here, they supported me the whole way.
“To come back and get that support again, it has been absolutely brilliant.
“You just have to give credit to them because they turn out in their numbers and it is down to us to do our best and perform for them.”
CEO Christian Nourry added: “It’s with great pleasure that we extend Smythy’s contract today.
“He has been tireless in his energy and efforts on and off the pitch since I’ve been at the club. This season, he has worked hard to add more goal threat and has been decisive in games.“
Twitter users gave their reaction as QPR issue statement after disgusting abusive messages aimed at Paul Smyth and his family…
@HarbzTommy: Absolutely disgusting, I adore Smyth as a human and adore him as a footballer (some might disagree) we’re all behind you Smythy 💙🤍
@kane_qpr1: 🎶 Paul smyth from the half way line Paul smyth 🎶 the hate he gets is disgusting and whoever it is should be ashamed.
@Joemulcahy99: Something seriously needs to be done about social media because it can’t keep being governed the way it is. People are way too comfortable saying outrageous things knowing they’ll get away with it as long as it’s behind a faceless account
@FranksHoops: I may not like him as a footballer, but those messages he received are crazy. Some weird people out there. #qpr
@becki_curzon: Exceptionally odd behaviour to spend your New Years Day sending vile abuse to a stranger
@claireloucoker: You wankers responsible for this are not fans. I’ve seen some of the messages @paul_ps17 has been sent and they are horrific. I hope your parents are proud of the scum they have raised 🤬🤬🤬
@QPR_Kian: Absolute rats the lot of em, real fans know the value Smythy brings to this club
@angelab2711: I’ve just seen the abuse sent to Paul Smyth,imo one of the nicest guys at the club. A truly lovely man with a lovely family. Hope the d*ckhead who sent it is caught and banned!! Utterly atrocious.
@QPRReport: Weird and sad – and disgusting that anyone would do this. (Could say especially re Paul Smyth; but that’s really irrelevant. Could be any QPR player and terrible to do) @QPR @paul_ps17
@MarkofGrove: That Paul Smyth abuse is horrendous. Knowing there are people watching our games that then decide to send abuse like that disgusts me. Absolute keyboard warrior scum.
@ChrisCheckley: Embarrassing from a select few on here; Smyth is a great lad, works hard and has contributed to some key points this year. Some will learn and realise that its not acceptable, you wouldnt go into any other work place and be subjected to that abuse, so why is it ok in football?
@2025_wells: Club absolutely spot on as always. Whoever this so called “fan” is, I hope your tracked down and never allowed back into Loftus Road. Theres no need for scumbags like this at our club. We are all with you @paul_ps17 and I hope your getting the proper support. #QPR
Disgusting way to treat a player who has been with us since he was a teenager playing for our U21 team.
The “fan” responsible needs to face the consequences of his actions.
We’re all with you, @paul_ps17. 💙🤍#QPR | #QPRDS https://t.co/i9BXwPHqLt pic.twitter.com/WOQ6qIPgNe
— QPR Development Squad News (@QPR_DS) January 2, 2026
It’s a sign of the times that a class individual such as Paul Smyth gets online abuse like this.
One of the best human beings that we’ve had at the club for years off the pitch.
No one can match his hard work on it either. pic.twitter.com/WOwudq9hkO
— Chris Guy (@ChrisGuyW12) January 2, 2026
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