QPR have strongly condemned the ‘abhorrent’ online abuse aimed at forward Bright Osayi-Samuel following Tuesday’s game with Norwich.
Osayi-Samuel, 22, highlighted the abuse on his Instagram account, saying: ‘It is disgusting and painful to be receiving messages like this.’
Some of the abuse revealed by Osayi-Samuel was racist in nature while other messages wished him ill and even dead.
Osayi-Samuel scored a late penalty equaliser and then missed another chance in the 1-1 draw at Carrow Road in the Sky Bet Championship.
QPR chief executive Lee Hoos said: ‘We completely deplore the abhorrent abuse Bright has been subjected to.
‘It astounds me that people feel they can freely post such comments without any fear of reprisal.”
“We are working with Instagram and asking them to assist us in identifying the individual concerned.
“I do feel social media platforms have a duty of care to its users who are victimised in this way.”
QPR director of football Les Ferdinand wants more action taken to prevent online abuse.
Ferdinand said: ”This type of abuse on social media is too commonplace and has to stop. In a society that now rightly places greater importance on mental wellbeing than ever before, how can people be able to set up anonymous social media accounts?”
“This will continue and continue until we stop it from being possible. I believe governing bodies across sport – not just football – need to come together to create a powerful voice which calls for social media platforms to change their stance.”
