Ryan Atkin: Referee reveals how he dealt with death threats after Mike Dean abused online

Referee Atkin says he received death threats after coming out publicly as gay in 2017; Mike Dean the latest official to receive death threats; Referees' Association chair believes a referee's life will be lost if harsher punishments are not introduced to combat online abuse

By Liam Grace

Ryan Atkin speaks about his experiences of receiving death threats and says he is 'very fortunate' he has a group of friends he can talk to in regards to social media abuse

Ryan Atkin has offered his support to fellow referee Mike Dean after he received death threats and has explained how he dealt with them following a surge of online abuse on social media platforms.

Premier League referee Dean was subjected to the death threats after he was involved in two controversial incidents last week and has subsequently asked not to officiate a top-flight game this weekend.

The abuse followed two controversial red card decisions - against West Ham's Tomas Soucek and Southampton's Jan Bednarek - which were subsequently overturned following appeal.

A referee's life will be lost if harsher punishments are not introduced for the abuse of officials, Referees' Association chair Paul Field has said.

Atkin says he received death threats after coming out publicly as gay in 2017 and is thankful he no longer gets them.

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey shares his experiences of abuse during his time as an official and expresses his sympathy for Mike Dean after he received death threats

"Obviously as a referee, we know what we sign up for," Atkin told Sky Sports News. "Sometimes our decisions are unpopular and we make mistakes, but we make honest mistakes.

"But when I came out, I received death threats myself. I received inappropriate, discriminatory language. I heard it from the stands. It was comments like that I'd receive [online] on a daily basis. Thankfully, those have now started to stop.

"I'm very fortunate that I can talk to a great group of friends about what I receive on social media. It takes a while - you have to try and not take it personally. Everyone has a different mindset, but I try and park it.

"I realise that it's someone behind a keyboard, someone ultimately I probably don't know and someone I'm never going to meet.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers believes social media companies and the government need to do more to stop online abuse

"For me personally, I don't believe in the threat. At the time I consulted different charities about routes I could take. Had it continued, I would have reported it to the police."

Atkin insists he has no regrets over coming out publicly four years ago, telling Sky Sports during the annual Rainbow Laces campaign activation in December that it was a "leap of faith" at the time but a decision that ultimately brought "positive successes" both personally and professionally.

In 2019, he became a Sport Champion for Stonewall, the charity that runs the Rainbow Laces campaign, and he is also an ambassador for the US-based LGBT+ advocacy group Athlete Ally.

Meanwhile, players in both men's and women's football have been victims of racial abuse on social media in recent months.

FA equality director Edleen John warned on Wednesday that the football community will be taking action to drive change from social media organisations.

Atkin: The 'F' word is extremely offensive

Golfer Justin Thomas recently had his sponsorship deal with Ralph Lauren terminated as a result of his audible use of a homophobic slur.

Justin Thomas vowed to learn from his 'terrible judgement call' after using a homophobic slur

Meanwhile, Tranmere's Sky Bet League Two match with Morecambe on January 30 is currently under investigation by the Football Association after an alleged homophobic slur was made at the Mazuma Stadium.

Asked about those incidents, and how offensive the 'F' word was to the LGBT+ community, Atkin added: "It is extremely offensive.

"All discriminatory language is not acceptable, but within the gay community, the 'F' word is no different to someone using the 'N' word to someone who is black or Asian. It is that offensive.

"People that hide behind ignorance, and say they do not understand the word, are actually not telling the truth.

"There is an underlying issue with both racism and homophobia in football. We must commend the clubs for taking zero-tolerance approaches to racism. That now needs to be mirrored around homophobic comments or chants.

"Social media organisations need to look at how they manage hate and discriminatory lanaguge on their site [too]. It must not be tolerated."

Hate Won't Stop Us

This is the message from Sky Sports presenters and reporters, who have united in supporting a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of online hate and abuse on social media

Sky Sports is committed to making skysports.com and our channels on social media platforms a place for comment and debate that is free of abuse, hate and profanity.

For more information, please visit: www.skysports.com/hatewontstopus

If you see a reply to Sky Sports posts and/or content with an expression of hate on the basis of race, colour, gender, nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexuality, age or class please copy the URL to the hateful post or screengrab it and email us here.

Kick It Out reporting racism

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Chloe Morgan says online abuse is difficult to cope with, and encourages people to speak out on the issue

Online Reporting Form | Kick It Out

Kick It Out is football's equality and inclusion organisation - working throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change.

www.kickitout.org

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie

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