Lionel Messi supported the social boycott currently underway in British sport.

The Barcelona veteran posted on his Instagram account – after which more than 200 million people pledged his support for the four-day initiative aimed at tackling online abuse and discrimination.

Messi told his followers to value the people behind each profile and demanded that Facebook, Twitter and other social media companies do more.

He wrote, “I would like you, the 200 million people who follow me become the 200 million reasons that exist to make the network a safe and respectful place where we can share that we are being insulted What do you want without fear ”, he wrote.

“And humiliation, racism, abuse and discrimination can always be avoided. For those of you who are part of these networks and who are always with me, I hope you will support and support me in this crusade. “

He said: “A big hug to everyone and congratulations to all football players in the UK for the idea of ​​launching a campaign against abuse and discrimination in the network.” “

The FA, Premier League, EFL, FA Women’s Super League, FA Women’s Championship, PFA, LMA, PGMOL, Kick It Out and FSA unite for a boycott from Friday to Monday.

The Scottish FA, Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Women’s Football and PFA Scotland have also confirmed the participation of football clubs and organizations in Scotland.

UEFA on Thursday lent its support to players, clubs and national associations to “file formal complaints, whenever players, coaches, referees or officials are victims of unacceptable tweets or messages”.

FIFA has also stated that it supports England’s football boycott of social media in response to discriminatory and objectionable social media abuse.

Sky Sports will not post any sports content for its games on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Tik Tok during the boycott period.

Major organizations from other UK sports – such as England and Wales Cricket Board, England Rugby, Premiership Rugby, Scottish Rugby, The Professional Darts Corporation, British Cycling, Lawn Tennis Association and the British Horsespacing Authority – have chosen to join as others . Broadcasters including BT Sport, At The Race and TalkSport.

The British Basketball League and Women’s British Basketball League will also support the boycott with major organizations in the Rugby League, including the Rugby Football League, European Super League, Rugby League World Cup 2021 and the Rugby League Players Association.

Messi’s statement in its entirety

“I have reached 200 million followers on Instagram, however, whatever is happening today, I am not taking it as a reason to celebrate.

“Of course, I appreciate all the love and support you’ve received, but I think the time has come to value all the people behind each profile, we realize that there is a person behind every account , One who laughs, cries, enjoys and suffers from human emotions.

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“Speak to end abuse of social media.” It does not matter whether we are anonymous, famous, athletes, referees or sports devotees, even it is all from outside people, irrespective of caste, religion, ideology or gender. … No one deserves abuse or insult.

“We live together and look at the abuse, getting increasingly worse in each network, nobody doing anything to stop it. We should strongly condemn these hostile attitudes and demand that the companies operating the network take immediate action against such behavior.

“I would like you, 200 million people who follow me, for the 200 million reasons that exist to make the network a safe and respectable place where we can share that without fear of being insulted What do you want And this humiliation, racism, abuse and discrimination stays with them forever.

“For those of you who are part of these networks and who are always with me, I hope that you will support and support me in this crusade.

“Big hugs everyone and congratulates all football players in the UK for their idea of ​​starting a campaign against abuse and discrimination in the network. “

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