The Toolstation NCEL will be joining clubs and leagues across the Premier League, EFL, National League, National League System, and women's and grassroots football in a boycott of social media next weekend.

The action is being taken as a protest against online abuse on social media and will see our activity on those platforms cease from Friday 30th April, 2021, to Monday 3rd May, 2021.

The FA is also asking all clubs to take part in the protest as a show of solidarity against the ongoing and sustained discriminatory abuse received by players and many others connected to football.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), League Managers Association (LMA), Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL), football's equality and inclusion organisation Kick It Out, and the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) will also join the boycott.

A joint statement released on Saturday night said: "As a collective, the game recognises the considerable reach and value of social media to our sport. The connectivity and access to supporters who are at the heart of football remains vital.

"However, the boycott shows English football coming together to emphasise that social media companies must do more to eradicate online hate, while highlighting the importance of educating people in the ongoing fight against discrimination.

"In our letter of February 2021, English football outlined its requests of social media companies, urging filtering, blocking and swift takedowns of offensive posts, an improved verification process and re-registration prevention, plus active assistance for law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute originators of illegal content.

"While some progress has been made, we reiterate those requests today in an effort to stem the relentless flow of discriminatory messages and ensure that there are real-life consequences for purveyors of online abuse across all platforms.

"Boycott action from football in isolation will, of course, not eradicate the scourge of online discriminatory abuse, but it will demonstrate that the game is willing to take voluntary and proactive steps in this continued fight."