14 hours ago
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Emile Heskey has disclosed how the horrific abuse he endured during his playing days was so severe that he actively discouraged his own sons from pursuing football careers.
The former England and Liverpool forward believes the atmosphere within the sport has now turned poisonous. He maintains that nobody escapes the torrent of abuse, which affects players, managers, officials, pundits, club personnel, and their families alike.
Heskey is so alarmed by this escalating crisis that he has chosen to champion an innovative soccer safety application designed to combat both online and stadium abuse through immediate reporting mechanisms. His sons Reigan and Jaden Heskey are currently developing their own professional pathways at Manchester City, having both made their first-team debuts under Pep Guardiola's guidance this season.
However, Heskey confesses that his personal encounters with abuse meant he never actively supported their pursuit of professional soccer.
Heskey explained: "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 chosen to spearhead the introduction of 'The Football Safety App', which allows supporters, players, staff, officials and families to report abuse immediately and without revealing their identity, regardless of location.
He continued: "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 behavior out. This is the deterrent football has been missing. When people know there's accountability, behavior 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.
Organizations, leagues, clubs and supporter groups can register interest at www.footballsafetyapp.com
English (US) ·