Hearts chief Andrew McKinlay speaks on social media boycott as club join rest of Scottish football to end abuse

Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay announced that the club will boycott all social media this weekend in line with the rest of Scottish football.

In a statement on the official Hearts website, McKinlay stated that abuse cannot go on and said the club was determined to show solidarity on the matter.

The statement read: “Heart of Midlothian Football Club will unite with Scottish football by boycotting social media in response to online racist and discriminatory abuse of players, staff, supporters and others within the game.

“We will, along with fellow SPFL clubs, the Scottish FA, Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Women’s Football, PFA Scotland and clubs across the UK, cease all social media activity for our men’s and women’s team from 3pm on Friday, April 30, until 11.59pm on Monday, May 3.

Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay has spoken about online abuse.

“Information about Hearts’ Championship match against Raith Rovers on Friday night will be available through the official club website, which will also carry post-match reaction from Stark’s Park. Live video and audio commentary of the game will be available on Hearts TV, with interviews and highlights to follow.

“Andrew McKinlay chief executive officer, said: ‘We are fully committed to supporting this social media boycott and showing solidarity with those in the game who have been subjected to online abuse.

“There is simply no place for abuse of any nature in our game but, unfortunately, we find ourselves in a position where we have to say ‘enough is enough’.

“Social media can play a great role in engaging with supporters but until there is greater regulation of it we feel we must take this stand.’”

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