Monday 7 October 2019 20:06, UK
Kick It Out says "time is running out" for social media providers to act on the spate of online racist abuse directed at footballers.
Football's anti-discrimination campaign commented after widespread condemnation of online racist abuse aimed at Leicester midfielder Hamza Choudhury this weekend. Leicester have reported the comments to police.
Kick It Out has warned social media providers must do more to stamp out racism on their platforms or face the prospect of external intervention.
"After yesterday's Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Leicester City, Hamza Choudhury became the latest player to receive horrendous racist abuse - via a number of social media platforms and in the comments section of several online articles," Kick It Out said in a statement to Sky Sports News.
"Despite ongoing discussions about tacking this ever-increasing issue, we have yet to see any concrete measures put in place to protect the players suffering this abuse.
"The time for talking is fast running out and if action will not be taken, the Government or a regulatory body must intervene and force these platforms to adopt measures to eradicate abuse, identify perpetrators and hold them to account."
Speaking at the 2019 Best of Africa Awards in London, Juventus Women and England forward Eni Aluko added her voice to calls for social media companies to tighten up their controls.
"I think at this point in time it is on Twitter and some of these social media sites to really buck their ideas up," she told Sky Sports News.
"If I go to an airport I have to put in more information and verification just to get Wi-Fi than I do to get on Twitter.
"It's not rocket science. I think people get away with this abuse because they know they are going to get away with it.
"The minute you tighten up some of these controls, people can't be cowardly anymore, you are going to find out who these people are because let's be honest if I am walking down the street you'll get arrested if you abuse me in that way."
Sky Sports News understands football authorities held a similar meeting with Facebook in the summer.
