Super Eagles and Rangers FC of Scotland defender Leon Balogun has spoken on the need to address social media abuse by online trolls directed at players.
The player, who was referencing the backlash faced by Alex Iwobi after the AFCON final loss to Ivory Coast, stated that the most effective way to curb cyberbullying is to make examples.
Leon said that he spoke to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation [Ibrahim Gusau] after what happened to Iwobi after the AFCON final, and he said they are going to deal with the issue.
The player who made the comments during FIFPRO’s Workplace Safety For Footballers session on X (formerly Twitter) space informed me that the NFF said they are going to use cybersecurity to curb the malaise.
“Probably the most effective way to go after people at this point in time is to really make examples, go after them hard, and use the police force. I spoke to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation [Ibrahim Gusau] after what happened to Alex Iwobi after the AFCON final, and he said they are going to even use cybersecurity, like cyber police, to find out where this particular abuse stems from. I think it is a very extreme measure, but it is necessary,” he said.
