Nigeria defender Leon Balogun raises concerns over social media abuse

Players such as Ola Aina and Alex Iwobi faced severe backlash, including death threats, on their social media platforms after Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast.

Balogun expressed concern about the blurred boundaries between fans’ expressions and cyberbullying, highlighting its detrimental effect on players’ mental health.

In a conversation on a FIFPro X Space, the Rangers defender emphasized the escalation of cyberbullying and abuse over the years, exacerbated by the widespread use of social media.

“I have this feeling that this constant access to the real me as a player has lowered the threshold for fans in the stadium to a point where some think they are entitled to do things that they aren’t,” he stated.

Balogun highlighted the inappropriate behavior of some fans, attributing it to the misconception that purchasing a stadium ticket grants them the right to abuse players. He stressed the importance of creating a safe environment where everyone can express themselves without causing harm.

“Cyberbullying has taken a turn for the worse with the introduction and rise of social media. With its spread, it has become more violent,” he continued.

“Ultimately, we all need to get along and create an environment where everybody feels safe to express themselves and to voice their opinion without harming one another.