Social media platforms 'havens for abuse' say English soccer bodies

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Leicester City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - February 3, 2021 General view of an official match ball inside a goal net before the match Pool via REUTERS/Glyn Kirk/File Photo

(Reuters) - English soccer's governing bodies said on Thursday that the Twitter, Facebook and Instagram platforms were "havens for abuse" and urged the social media companies to tackle the problem in the wake of racist messages aimed at players.

In a joint letter addressed to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the Football Association, Premier League and anti-racism organisation Kick It Out said the levels of abuse aimed at footballers had risen in recent weeks.