ARSENAL LEGEND and Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright is pushing for drastic change among social media platforms after receiving racist messages online.

Wright recently tweeted a series of screenshots of the messages he had received on Instagram, adding, “’I know I’m not meant to look at them but these messages still hit me so hard man. This is a child!!!”

Police are interviewing a teenager in Ireland who turned himself over in connection to the torrent racist abuse and an investigation is underway.

Having previously spoken about the role of social media in facilitating racism, Wright is determined to push for change by pressuring platforms to do their bit in preventing online abuse. 

“We are appalled during this very trying time by the disgraceful abuse directed at Ian Wright and Gabriel Agbonlahor.”

Kick It Out

“I’ve got a platform where I can reach people,” he told NoSignal radio. “This is happening to people on a daily basis where they can’t do what I did – that’s why I had to call this guy out.”

“We’re dealing with people that need to hide. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter are where they can hide but, what they haven’t understood and what that guy will have realised today is, it’s not my platform – it’s everybody who has come in on him. Something has to be done.”

Wright claimed he will match the relentlessness of online racist abuse with his own determination to end such messages, saying: “I’m fighting this one all the way.”

Aston Villa legend Gabriel Agbonlahor was also recently subjected to racist abuse via social media.

In response, Kick It Out  – football’s anti-racism campaign -condemned the abuse and called for legal action to be taken.

“We are appalled during this very trying time by the disgraceful abuse directed at Ian Wright and Gabriel Agbonlahor and their families,” a statement from the organisation read.

“This is happening to people on a daily basis where they can’t do what I did – that’s why I had to call this guy out.”

Ian Wright

“Racial hate speech and violent threats are totally unacceptable but have become sadly normalised on social media.

“Whilst we continue to collaborate with social media platforms to ensure a safer user experience for all, these cases should be investigated by law enforcement and the abusers should face criminal sanctions.”

The Professional Footballers’ Association said on Monday evening they have contacted Instagram directly, calling for ‘fundamental changes’ of policy on the platform.