CHRIS SUTTON: For all of English football to agree to a social media blackout is a powerful message

What the Big Six clubs did in trying to join a breakaway European Super League was wrong. Very wrong. But a line was also crossed by some supporters on social media too on Saturday night.

Chelsea released a statement in which they pleaded with supporters to stop abusing club officials in light of their involvement.

They said ‘anti-semitism, sexism, racism and threats of violence’ had been directed at their representatives after the ESL debacle.

Chelsea released a statement on Saturday condemning social media abuse at club officials over the club’s involvement in the Super League saga

English football – including the Premier League has agreed to go on a social media blackout

It’s as easy as ever for fans to direct their hatred towards clubs, players, managers, even the kit man if they can track him down on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. They can do it unchallenged.

You see the worst of people on social media. You see how volatile a person can be when hiding behind an anonymous account – as if using a fake name and picture means they can say what they want, when they want and with no consequences.

Between them, the Big Six clubs have 91.7million followers on Twitter. And that’s just their men’s accounts.

That’s not including any other affiliated accounts, such as for their women’s teams or academies.

For all of English football to agree simultaneously to go silent is a powerful thing. They’re making those in charge of these social media machines take notice.