This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has spoken out against racism, vowing to fight the problem for the sake of the next generation. In a powerful statement, Pogba said racist insults only make him stronger and motivate him to fight for a better future.
His comments come after he was targeted by online abuse following a penalty miss in Manchester United's 1-1 Premier League draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers last week. The incident prompted Manchester United to issue a strong statement condemning the racist views.
“Racist insults are ignorance and can only make me stronger and motivate me to fight for the next generation,” Pogba wrote in a tweet accompanied by a picture of him holding his baby alongside a portrait of Martin Luther King.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left 'lost for words' after the latest incident, saying it's 'unheard of' and needs to stop. He added that social media companies need to provide more protection for players.
United and British anti-discriminatory body Kick It Out are set to meet representatives of Twitter and Facebook to discuss the issue. The meeting comes after Chelsea manager Frank Lampard called on social media companies to take action after 21-year-old striker Tammy Abraham was subject to abuse.
