Anthony Martial subjected to racist abuse on Instagram after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at West Brom

Martial was also targeted with online abuse last month
Getty Images
Tom Doyle14 February 2021

Anthony Martial was subjected to more racist abuse on social media following Manchester United's 1-1 draw at West Brom as Troy Townsend said the latest incident "makes a mockery" of Instagram's new "tougher" stance.

The Frenchman, who along with Axel Tuanzebe was targeted last month following the Red Devils' loss to Sheffield United, was again on the receiving end after playing the first 66 minutes of the stalemate at The Hawthorns.

A number of Instagram users left racist words and symbols in the comments section of Martial's most recent - 16-week-old-post. The social media network told the PA news agency on Sunday evening that it was looking into the matter and had already removed a number of racist comments.

Instagram earlier this week announced new measures to tackle online abuse in the wake of the latest spate of sickening racist attacks on footballers.

Following the abuse, Troy Townsend, head of development at anti-racism charity Kick It Out, tweeted a screengrab showing some of the racist comments, and commented: "Let me break my Sunday silence and just say here we go again. It's so predictable now, it makes a mockery of Instagram's comments this week.

"I wonder if this account will be barred for a month and collect their 'Insta slap on the wrist' and 'don't do that again' talk."

United's Marcus Rashford and Lauren James, West Brom's Romaine Sawyers and Chelsea full-back Reece James - brother of Lauren - have also been targeted in the last few weeks.

Asked if he thinks it is possible to stop, the Norwegian said: "We all know there's freedom of speech but this crosses a line of what's unacceptable.

"It's absolutely unacceptable behaviour in 2021 with the education. So we have to work with the platforms and they've got to be stronger to make sure that we stop this."

Additional reporting by PA.

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