People who abuse Premier League stars online could be hit with football banning orders after the Crown Prosecution Service vowed to step up their efforts to battle hate crimes.
Hate-filled messages have become an increasing problem on social media, with footballers facing racism, homophobia and death threats. The issue reached breaking point last year, when clubs, players, leagues and media organisations took part in a four-day social media blackout to protest the lack of action against abusers.
But despite that, precious little has been done by social media companies in particular to stamp out hate. And the CPS are now taking matters into their own hands, by beefing up the sanctions that they can pursue against anyone found to have committed a hate crime online.
