England women to avoid ‘awful’ social media at European Championship
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England's Alessia Russo said she prefers to stay off social media during major tournaments.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Alessia Russo, Lauren James and Lucy Bronze are among members of the England women’s football team who plan to avoid social media at the July 2-27 European Championship in Switzerland, because of its toxic environment.
Russo said that she prefers to stay off it at major tournaments, including at the 2023 Women’s World Cup during which she had someone else run her Instagram account. England had made it all the way to the final, in which they lost 1-0 to Spain.
“I think every player might have a different story about that side of the game, but it’s definitely one that can be really damaging,” the Arsenal forward told BBC Radio at St George’s Park.
“I have faced it in the past and I think most players here have. When I was younger I probably got sucked into it more. I read it more than I should have, and listened to it more than I should have. The only opinions that matter are (those of) my teammates, my coaches and my family.”
Russo’s comments came after British tennis player Katie Boulter revealed that she has received death threats to herself and members of her family after matches, highlighting a rising trend of tennis players facing direct-message online abuse.
Chelsea forward James said that the abuse never really stops. “Sometimes it’s not even to do with my performance, even when someone loses at Fifa (the EA Sports video game), my card scores against them, and they’re sending me abuse,” she said.
“I guess when it’s your first time, though, maybe it might touch someone, but I’m used to it. I’m going to just brush it off my shoulder.”
Bronze added that it was not just the players who receive negative comments. “People write horrible things and obviously our families read it as well and it can be upsetting if you see something that’s not very nice,” the Chelsea defender said.
“Social media is amazing in one way, and absolutely awful in another way. I think most of us have been off at some point.”
England begin the defence of their European title against France on July 5. REUTERS
