Why the Yorkshire Evening Post will boycott social media with Leeds United and English football

From 3pm on Friday, football clubs, leagues and authorities, together with member associations, players and staff across a wide range of sports are boycotting social media in protest against online abuse.

And we here at the Yorkshire Evening Post are standing by them by withdrawing from our sports social media channels from 3pm today until 11.59pm on Monday.

As Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa said yesterday, 'we have to try' and the YEP is proud to try with Leeds United and all the other sports clubs in this great city.

Online abuse is a modern day plague, one that is gathering speed at a frightening pace.

The regulations are not up to standard. The punishments are insufficient. The social media companies have proven to not be pro-active enough in stamping this scourge out of society, in protecting the people, the clubs and the fans who want to enjoy social media for the good it can do, not be repelled by it for the bad.

It is time to make a stand. And not just for the Patrick Bamfords of this world who are abused every time they miss a chance, or the Konrad Hurrells for the colour of their skin.

This is for everyone who plays or partakes in sport; the Sunday league referee, the young swimmer who finishes last in a meet, the rugby players who misses a tackle.

This is for everyone who is different, or has a view. Social media is an extension of their freedom of speech, their freedom of expression.

They have a right to be proud of themselves. Nobody has a right to humiliate them, bully them, abuse them on social media.

There is no place for this vile discrimination online or anywhere.

So we at the Yorkshire Evening Post are proud to stand with our friends and colleagues at Elland Road, Headingley and across the sporting institutions of this fine city.

We join you in making this stand.

You can still support us across this weekend as we continue to bring you the very best Leeds United content. Sign up for our newsletter here or, even better, take out a dedicated sports subscription here so you never miss a kick from Elland Road and beyond