Former England and Liverpool star Emile Heskey has called for abuse towards everyone in football to stop – and reckons a new app will help make the national game a better sport for all involved
Emile Heskey has revealed how the abuse he suffered throughout his career was so bad, he didn’t want his own sons to take up football. Former England and Liverpool striker Heskey reckons the culture in the game now has become toxic.
He believes no-one is immune from abuse, including players, managers, referees, commentators, club staff and their families. Heskey is so concerned about the escalating problem, he has decided to front a groundbreaking football safety app to tackle online and matchday abuse with real-time reporting.
His sons Reigan and Jaden Heskey are both forging their own professional careers with Manchester City, and made their debuts for Pep Guardiola’s side earlier this season. But Heskey admits his own experiences of abuse meant he never encouraged them to purse professional football.
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Heskey said: “I suffered racism throughout my career, but back then it was mainly coming from the stands or in the papers. Now it’s everywhere. It’s on social media, in your home, on your kids’ phones – and it’s not just racism or sexism, because white players are also getting hammered online.
“There are many incidences where managers are receiving threats, officials are abused weekly, and even commentators are targeted. We keep calling it a small minority, but that downplays what is really happening. The scale and intensity of abuse has grown beyond that.
“Seeing my boys coming through the game brought all of this into sharp focus. I don’t want them abused online for playing football.
“I don’t want academy kids targeted, matchday officials, women’s players, or managers suffering this. Enough is enough.”
Heskey has decided to lead the launch of ‘The Football Safety App’, which enables supporters, players, staff, officials and families to report abuse instantly and anonymously, wherever it happens.
He added: “Transport is now another major flashpoint. Anyone who travels on trains on match days knows how quickly things can turn. And it’s not just football fans involved. Families, commuters and staff get caught up in it.
“People should be able to travel safely. This app finally gives them a way to call that behaviour out.
“This is the deterrent football has been missing. When people know there’s accountability, behaviour changes.
“And with the pressure that the police are under, anything that helps them by doing the groundwork, by collecting evidence, timestamps, and patterns, is a massive step forward.”
The Football Safety App is in the final stages of testing – and will launch before the end of 2025.
Organisations, leagues, clubs and supporter groups can register interest at www.footballsafetyapp.com
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