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Nedum Onuoha: Why I'm supporting social media boycott

Footballer Nedum Onuoha says the four-day long social media boycott by sporting bodies is a move to tackle 'truly toxic' online abuse.

Leading football clubs and players will be joined by a number of sporting bodies in a four-day boycott of social media platforms from 15:00 BST on Friday in a move to tackle abuse and discrimination.

UEFA has said it'll also support the high profile boycott, which will involve sports including football, rugby union, cricket, rugby league and horseracing, as well as a number of sponsors and broadcasters.

It's all aimed at highlighting the intense level of abuse faced by sportspeople on the different social media platforms.

One person who's supporting the move is former Manchester City and QPR defender Nedum Onuoha, who says he's switched his account to private for his own mental health - despite wanting to use it to interact with his fans and 'joke around' with them.

"It's not just a case of saying 'you didn't play well this weekend'. Some of this stuff is about families, race, religion and stuff like this and is truly, truly toxic unfortunately."

(Photo: Nedum Onuoha in action for Real Salt Lake. Credit: Getty Images)

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