Cork City leaves X over rise in abusive language
Former League of Ireland champions Cork City have announced their departure from social media platform X due to an “increase in discriminatory and abusive language”, reports BritPanorama.
The Irish club, which has over 50,000 followers on X, acknowledged that while it continues to engage on other social media platforms, it will no longer utilize Elon Musk’s X. The club underscored its commitment to maintaining an inclusive environment for all individuals.
In a statement, Cork CityFC expressed, “Cork City FC is proud to be an inclusive place, that welcomes everyone no matter who they are.” They noted a significant uptick in intolerant and offensive language on the platform, leading to their decision to withdraw.
The club further highlighted its responsibilities to players, staff, supporters, and the wider community, stating, “We have a duty of care… and it is a responsibility that we do not take lightly.” Consequently, they urged supporters to follow them on other platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Threads, as well as their official WhatsApp channel.
Cork City joins other notable football clubs, including Germany’s FC St Pauli, which left the platform in November 2024, labeling it a “hate machine”. Werder Bremen also withdrew, citing an alarming rise in hate speech and radicalisation on X, dubbing it a “political weapon”.
Since Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in October 2022, the platform has undergone significant changes, including a rebranding to X. The transition has drawn scrutiny over free speech and moderation practices, prompting various teams and public figures to reconsider their presence on the platform.
As the digital landscape evolves, the challenge for clubs like Cork City remains: how to cultivate a supportive and safe online community without compromising their values, a balancing act that continues to test organisations throughout the sports world.
