ONLY three Prem clubs – Manchester City, Brighton and Norwich – have said they are willing to work with police to help players deal with online racist abuse.
Chief Con Mark Roberts wrote to all 92 league clubs across the four divisions in the summer in his role as the National Police Chief Council’s football lead.
But he was left disappointed by the commitment shown – with the lack of interest from the top flight particularly alarming.
City, the Seagulls and Canaries are believed to be the only three Prem clubs who said they would engage with police.
Online hatred has surged since Euro 2020 and clubs have said they will take a firm stance to stamp it out.
But Roberts said: “We hear all the slogans, we hear all the commitment. But when we try to take some positive steps to support player and clubs, we need a bit more than words.
“Only 49 have come back with a positive response and so far only eight clubs have facilitated us getting the officers, PFA and Kick it Out in to speak to the players.”
In his letter, Roberts told clubs that player need better support if they are to take action when they receive online abuse.
He also said police in Britain were fully committed to finding and putting offenders behind bars.
He told Sky News: “We want to do this but I think this is one of those examples where everyone says they are committed and says they want to tackle it.
“But then we give opportunities and it doesn’t happen. That’s a really disappointing take-up and I think the numbers speak for themselves.”
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