The shock and sad death of well known former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack leaves footballers disgusted on social media this afternoon.
Many current and former players today voiced their disappointment at the trolls and media that pushed her to take her own life.
Tonight’s tragic news becomes the third death to the ITV2 reality show former stars throwing the show’s future into question.
Contestants Mike Thalassitis, who was a former Stevenage and non league footballer, and Sophie Graydon took their own lives following their appearances on the dating programme.
Flack’s sad passing comes just weeks before she was due to go on trial for assaulting partner Lewis Burton who in December accused her of hitting him with a lamp.
Her family have been informed and in a statement tonight they said: “We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February.
“We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.”
As mentioned, the shock death of Caroline Flack leaves footballers disgusted.
Manchester United and England player Jesse Lingard posted:
Thoughts and prayers are with Caroline’s family in this tragic time ??? The pressure of social media and the national press need to be taken seriously now more than ever it’s actually a joke. All Human beings have feelings we are not robots. Such sad news ?
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) February 15, 2020
Experienced former EFL star David Cotterill wrote in a viral tweet: “People and the media will be tweeting RIP Caroline Flack are the ones who hounded her. The media is a fucking joke they are allowed to do what they want. Pushing for a story for what to have someone take there own life. Fucking disgrace.”
People and the media will be tweeting RIP Caroline Flack are the ones who hounded her. The media is a fucking joke they are allowed to do what they want. Pushing for a story for what to have someone take there own life. Fucking disgrace
— David Cotterill (@cotterill_david) February 15, 2020
Former Rochdale player and cancer survivor Joe Thompson posted a heartfelt message, which was shared by footballer Billy Clarke and no doubt a huge amount of other well known names.
I pray everyday for my little girl everyday?? What world are we creating?
.
Where people feel they can project their own issues onto others via social media etc
.
Self reflection time?
.
What happened to treating others how you would like to be treated?
.#ripcarolineflack ?? pic.twitter.com/OZuf65RUgy— Joe Thompson (@JJL_Thompson) February 15, 2020
Arsenal footballer Joe Willock said: “Trolling and abusing people on social media has detrimental effects . Understand that everyone’s human, nobody is perfect. Be kind.”
That tweet was retweeted by Wolves and Doncaster player Niall Ennis.
Trolling and abusing people on social media has detrimental effects . Understand that everyone’s human, nobody is perfect. Be kind.
— Joe Willock (@Joewillock) February 15, 2020
Ex-EFL turned non league player Ryan Bird shared a video showing the stories by the Mirror about Flack.
Just wanted to see the articles that the mirror published on Caroline flack… turns out they’ve been deleted. Don’t tell me they didn’t know what sort of impact it would have… anything for a cheap story. Rank pic.twitter.com/KfGmbl8Blm
— goebbels (@jaayritch) February 15, 2020
Bristol Rovers defender Mark Little tweeted: “I came on here to talk about Alfies goal….but reading about Caroline flack really puts things into perspective. ?”
I came on here to talk about Alfies goal….but reading about Caroline flack really puts things into perspective. ?
— Mark Little (@Litts_2) February 15, 2020
David Buchanan of Chesterfield FC wrote: “Absolutely heartbreaking news about @carolineflack1!! British media again destroying people.. yet the vultures will have the story as headline news for their own gain! ??”
Absolutely heartbreaking news about @carolineflack1!! British media again destroying people.. yet the vultures will have the story as headline news for their own gain! ??
— David Buchanan (@_Buchs) February 15, 2020
Whitehawk’s Hogan Ephraim added: “People wanna mock, take the piss and throw any shade online….then they send their condolences ?…realize what’s important people, clout and even money isn’t that big a deal. Rest well Caroline ❤️”
People wanna mock, take the piss and throw any shade online….then they send their condolences ?…realize what’s important people, clout and even money isn’t that big a deal. Rest well Caroline ❤️
— Hogan Ephraim (@HoganEphraim) February 15, 2020
Wingate & Finchley’s Bradley Woods-Garness said: “I can’t believe what I have just seen “Caroline Flack” dead the world is a horrible place ???????? #RIPcarolineflack”
Barnet’s Shaq Coulthirst simply put: “Love Island Is Getting Cancelled Soon…”
Her sad death comes on the same day clubs up and down the country united in support of the #HeadsUp campaign, to kick off the biggest-ever conversation around mental health.
Spearheaded by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, the season-long campaign aimed to harness the influence and popularity of football to normalise the conversation around mental health, working closely with charity partners Mind, CALM and Sporting Chance.
Clubs featured Heads Up branding across stadiums, programmes and player kit and showcased the work they do to improve mental health in their communities.
Whether you or someone you know is struggling, or if you want to help dispel the stigma, kick off a conversation about mental health. Join the conversation using #KickOffAConversation and #HeadsUp.
Find out more and get tips from Heads Up’s charity partners (Mind, CALM, Sporting Chance and Heads Together) – visit www.headstogether.org.uk/heads-up.
Those wanting immediate support can also text ‘HeadsUp’ to 85258 to connect with a trained crisis volunteer – a service run by ‘Shout’ and powered by Crisis Text Line, which is available 24/7 and free to text from most mobile networks.
For further advice and support please visit www.mind.org.uk. To learn more about the EFL’s partnership with Mind, please visit: mind.org.uk/onyourside.
Next time, think twice before giving a player or anyone else for that matter serious grief online, because you never really know how much damage you are causing.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login