Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has called for social media companies to be more accountable in light of the ongoing speight of racist comments that is being targetted toward black Premier League players.
Zouma was the latest victim of social media trolls after the defender turned the ball into his own net to cost Chelsea all three points against newly-promoted Sheffield United on Saturday, with the Blues having taken a two-goal lead through Tammy Abraham.
It’s not the first time that the West London club have been involved in a racism storm in recent years though, with four Chelsea fans being convicted of racist violence after they stopped a black man from boarding a train in Paris back in 2015 ahead of their Champions League tie with PSG.
Earlier this year, Chelsea also banned a fan for life after he was caught on camera racially abusing Man City‘s Raheem Sterling during a Premier League game in December 2018, while Blues striker Tammy Abraham was abused on social media after his missed penalty saw the Blues lose the UEFA Super Cup penalty shootout earlier this month.
Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford have also been subjected to vile comments this season after they missed penalties against Wolves and Crystal Palace respectively, and following the latest incident surrounding Kurt Zouma, Frank Lampard has once again called for action from authorities and social media platforms.
“I am probably going over the ground I did with Tammy before,” he said at his post-match press conference.
“Firstly it is a person that does it, wherever they are hiding from, and secondly we have to look at social media and the platforms and give them some accountability to actually have people register who can be chased down for it.
“I think it is simple, until we get to that, and no matter how horrible that conversation is, we get tired talking about it.
“Until there is some culpability, anyone can say anything to anyone. It’s not just racism, it could be calling them names, homophobia, sexism, it could be anything.
“If we allow it, then unfortunately in modern society it is out there and it has to be dealt with.”
Manchester United stars rally around Pogba after racial abuse
See also – Solskjaer calls for action against social media racists
