How Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder thinks football can step up its battle against racism

The Blades manager became the latest Premier League boss to condemn racist abuse, after a rise in recent weeks on social media.

The likes of Anthony Martial, Reece James and Axel Tuanzebe have all been targeted in recent weeks, while United striker David McGoldrick shared a disgusting racist message he received on Instagram after last season’s victory over Chelsea.

Wilder believes that social media companies need to do more to police the abuse, and revealed recently that United are working with police over targeting of their players.

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"The power of everybody pulling together is really important," Wilder said. "No one club, no one individual can do it on their own.

"So, obviously together is stronger and if we are, which I'm sure we are, we can play our part. And not just in our game that we all love but in society too, to obviously eradicate racism which is a terrible part of our society.

“I’ve said for a long time that social media companies should do a lot more to filter and police their own industry. Banter, debate and opinion will always be there, and rightly so. But when it steps over the line, it’s not right and it’s not acceptable for people to suffer.

“The diversity of the changing room has been there for a long time and the understanding and chemistry between players is important.

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“Every changing room I’ve been in has had a really good feel about it. We’re not just trying to put a good team together but sign good human beings, who want to get on with their job and are respectful of everyone around them.”

Asked how he would deal with abuse of his players, Wilder added: “We’ll notify the relevant authorities and flag it up, with the Premier League, the PFA and even the police.

“But they shouldn’t have to deal with it, that’s the top and bottom of it.

“From a personal point of view, was I educated on racism and the situations I’d face? Possibly not so. So education is key. The brain’s learning from a young age and I’m sure everyone’s pulling in the same direction in terms of educating young people to eradicate this terrible situation we’re having to deal with, not just in football but in society.”

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South Yorkshire Police recently confirmed they are investigating a report of abuse sent to a Blades player.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “I can confirm that police are investigating an incident of malicious communications and enquiries are ongoing.

"It is an investigation into malicious communications reported by one individual.”

A study by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), which covered the final six weeks of last season, when United finished ninth in the Premier League, identified more than 3,000 explicitly abusive messages aimed at top flight players, 56 per cent of which were racist.

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