Berlin (AFP)
Leading German players and playing in the Bundesliga denounced together, "united against hatred", online harassment, in a video broadcast Thursday on social networks.
"Cyberbullying is a problem that affects the whole of society," said German Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, saying that "what some people allow themselves anonymously on social media can be (considered) criminal ".
In this 1 min 44 sec video, 14 professional players, including Kroos, Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig) and Niklas Süle (Bayern Munich) testify in several languages of the hate messages they themselves have received on social networks.
"Anyone who has an online profile should show who they are and be easily recognizable. It should no longer be possible to incite hatred anonymously," Kroos pleaded.
"Your opinion is important. But hate speech is not an option. There is a human being behind every screen. #UnisContreLaHaine," the video concludes.
The question of anonymous hate comments on social networks is also raised in England: English football officials recently denounced the "inaction" of major social networks, including Facebook and Twitter.
The latter in response defended pseudonymity.
© 2021 AFP