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Glasgow Rangers and Nigeria defender Leon Balogun feels social media has contributed to a rise in abusive behaviour aimed at players in their workplace – and says dialogue is needed to help create safer working environments in football.
Balogun, a member of FIFPRO’s Global Player Council, was speaking during a Space on X (Twitter) about the impact of violence towards footballers in their workplace.
It follows the release in January 2024 of FIFPRO’s Workplace Safety Report, which highlights the scale and impact of violence and abuse by fans towards professional footballers in the men’s game. The report draws on player interviews, a survey of 41 national player unions and media reviews.
“I have this feeling that this constant access to the real me as a player has lowered the threshold for fans in the stadium to a point where some think they are entitled to do things which they really aren’t,” said Balogun, 35.
“Some people, not the majority, feel because they have paid for a ticket to come to the stadium that it somehow automatically gives them the right to abuse you. There are people who just want to voice their frustration at you in a very inappropriate way.
“It has developed over the last 16 years since I’ve been a professional. It has taken a turn for the worse with the introduction and rise of social media.”