Antonio Rudiger claims social media companies are benefitting from racism
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has blamed social media companies for not taking adequate steps to curb online abuse directed at footballers. (h/t Daily Mail)
The German international has revealed that he has been subjected to immense racial abuse on social media platform for his perceived role in the sacking of club legend Frank Lampard.
While the centre-back has rubbished those claims, he is afraid that the social media powerhouses don’t really care to stop the spread of hate speech on their platforms. Rudiger feels that the money involved in such businesses exceeds the morals of humanity.
“So, me personally, I don’t think these people care. For, as you know, this money has power. And the rest doesn’t matter. It’s hard to tell if people will make a change on that. I feel sorry for that. But I feel more sorry for people who are not strong enough, it really affects them this type of stuff.
“Of course, it affects me in a way too but for me, it’s just to think people are not normal. People are, sorry to say, stupid.”
The 27-year-old has also clarified that he had nothing to do with Lampard’s dismissal from the helm of affairs at Stamford Bridge. Rudiger said (h/t Daily Mail)
“It’s my fourth season in the club and so far I had four coaches. My conscience is clear. I know who I am. I know I didn’t do all of that nonsense that came out. I am open for every new coach as I was open also to Mr Lampard.”
Rudiger’s protests come on the back of reported online racial abuse suffered by Premier League stars Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Alexandre Jankewitz, Romain Sawyers and several others in recent weeks.
This isn’t the first time that the German has been subjected to racial abuse during his stay in English football. Rudiger revealed that he had to face humiliating monkey chants from the crowd away at Tottenham last season. (h/t Guardian)
The report also adds that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has promised to invest funds to safeguard players from racist abuse moving forward.