Football News Update: FA Funds Special Police Unit to Prosecute Social Media Abusers
In a significant move to protect England’s football players, the Football Association (FA) has funded a specialized unit within the British police to prosecute individuals who abuse national team members on social media. This announcement comes as England prepares for their opening Euro 2024 match against Serbia on Sunday.
FA Tackles Player Abuse on Social Media
FA Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham, revealed the new initiative, stating, “We obviously talk to the players about this all the time and now we are doing things differently.” Bullingham explained that in the past, the FA would gather evidence and provide it to the police, but the lack of resources often hindered any further action. “This time we have gone a stage further where we are actually funding a unit within the British police that will then prosecute.”
“This time we have gone a stage further where we are actually funding a unit within the British police that will then prosecute.”
- Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive
The precise funding amount will depend on the number of prosecutions, but Bullingham indicated that the “ballpark figure” is around £25,000. The goal is to ensure that if there are instances of the type of online abuse seen before, the perpetrators will be held accountable.
This move by the FA is part of its ongoing commitment to addressing the issue of player mistreatment on social media. As England prepares for their crucial Euro 2024 opener, the governing body’s proactive approach aims to provide a safer and more supportive environment for the national team.
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