It seemed almost inevitable.
Minutes after the final whistle went off in Istanbul to signal Manchester City’s Champions League triumph, Romelu Lukaku was getting lambasted on social media. And it quickly turned into racist abuse.
The Inter Milan striker had a poor game, missing a sitter in front of goal and also standing in the way of a near-certain goal from Federico Dimarco.
A quick scroll through social media showed how quickly criticism turns into racist vitriol, especially in the world of sports.
It’s no secret that the world of professional sports is dealing with a significant rise in serious online abuse.
Last week, American tennis star Sloane Stephens said the kind of comments tennis players receive on Twitter and Instagram was getting "worse."
“Social media has made athletes and public figures more accessible than ever,” said Kiera Doherty, director of Dubai marketing agency Bright Company.
“While it's great for fans to be able to connect with their heroes, this access can leave celebrities wide open to online bullying.”
Blatant abuse
PGA Tour player Dylan Frittelli has made a name for himself for his witty replies to trolls on Twitter and Instagram. He knows exactly how far people can go.
"Some stuff is just blatant," Frittelli told The National. "For me, it's just a reminder that people are idiots and that they will post whatever they want to."
The South African, 33, said he tries not to take "too much heat" from what people say online.
"I try and make a joke out of it,” he said. “I'll make a person seem stupid if they've said something stupid but if it's crossing a line, then report the post.”
Trailblazing Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari said she had learnt to ignore negative comments directed to her on social media.
“I delete them straight away and if it’s really bad, I just block that person,” said Lari. “It doesn’t bother me too much.”
Positives
While there is an ugly side to the online world, having a strong social media presence is a key requirement for today’s sports professionals.
Lari said social media gave her the platform to interact with fans and inspire the next generation of athletes.
“It really motivates me when someone sends me a video on Facebook of their daughter skating, saying they started because of me,” said Lari.
Sports stars can also earn massive amounts of revenue through sponsorship deals on online platforms.
“The number of online followers a player has is very important not only for their sports profile, but also from a business perspective,” said Pedro Correia, a UAE-based football analyst and management consultant.
Ex-European Tour professional Zane Scotland said athletes today are expected to do more than just perform on the field of play.
“They need to engage with fans because the reality is that they’re now in the entertainment business – they have to give back,” said Scotland, who is now a golf pundit.
“Ten years ago you had the option of shying away from social media, but now you almost can’t afford not to have it.”
However, there is a dark reality that comes with blue ticks and a large army of followers. Online abuse from keyboard warriors hiding behind screens does get under the skin of many.
“The intense ‘us versus them’ energy in sport has always been a perfect storm for hate-speech, cyberbullying, and comments,” said Kiera Doherty of Bright Company.
“Sadly what’s directed at athletes often goes far beyond the boundaries of free speech or opinion.”
Families in the crossfire
According to UAE football pundit Pedro Correia, it’s usually the families of high-profile athletes that suffer the most when it comes to online abuse.
“They just aren’t prepared for that kind of spotlight,” he said.
“Ronaldo and Messi for example are used to the scrutiny, but the people around them aren’t and they often don’t want to be that exposed.”
Correia says it’s especially tough for children growing up when they read abusive comments about their parents on Instagram and TikTok.
“This is probably the worst part of it and needs to be addressed on a multitude of levels.”
Female athletes targeted
A study by World Athletics found that female athletes were the main target of online abuse during last year’s World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
“The online abuse of women in sport is rampant,” said Dawn Barnable, an ultra-cyclist and co-founder of The Mettleset, a medium that represents sportswomen in the region.
“Our platform has been sent messages before that we would absolutely call abusive.”
Barnable says that while comments targeted at male athletes usually revolve around their performance, women are at the receiving end of much more.
“The abuse of female athletes appears to be much more personal, related to anything from physical looks and values, through to what can be deemed sexual harassment.”
According to Dr Martin Kramar, a Dubai-based sports psychologist, the level of negative remarks that athletes receive in the UAE is less than in Europe or North America.
“The UAE’s laws have a zero-tolerance towards online abuse which is great as it provides a level of protection to athletes and results in less abusive comments,” he said.
Dealing with abuse
Experts say there are a number of ways athletes can handle being trolled online.
One is to abandon social media altogether, a route preferred by England cricketer Zak Crawley who says it helps him block out the external noise.
However, he is very much in the minority.
“Athletes need to be trained to withstand the pressure of being in the spotlight,” says Dr Kramar, who also lectures at the Canadian University Dubai.
“They need to get to a mental state where they can even learn from the criticism and comments they receive on social media, no matter how nasty they are.”
UK-based sports psychologist David Charlton said he recommends his clients to draw boundaries and have a ‘checklist’ that governs their social media use.
“They need to decide on things like how much they’re going to use it and when they’re going to use it,” he says.
“Opening up your Instagram right after a match isn’t ideal because that’s when emotions – both of the fans and the players - are running high.”
In addition to turning off their notifications, Charlton tells the athletes he works with to check their accounts the day after a match.
UAE figure skater Lari said getting trolled online is part and parcel of being in the spotlight, and it’s something athletes have to deal with.
“No matter what you do - whether it’s good or bad - there is always going to be someone behind a screen writing nasty things.”
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinFlx%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amr%20Yussif%20(co-founder%20and%20CEO)%2C%20Mattieu%20Capelle%20(co-founder%20and%20CTO)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%20in%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.5m%20pre-seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venture%20capital%20-%20Y%20Combinator%2C%20500%20Global%2C%20Dubai%20Future%20District%20Fund%2C%20Fox%20Ventures%2C%20Vector%20Fintech.%20Also%20a%20number%20of%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Profile Idealz
Company: Idealz
Founded: January 2018
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Size: (employees): 22
Investors: Co-founders and Venture Partners (9 per cent)
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Hamilton profile
Age 32
Country United Kingdom
Grands Prix entered 198
Pole positions 67
Wins 57
Podiums 110
Points 2,423
World Championships 3
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Racecard
7pm: Abu Dhabi - Conditions (PA) Dh 80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.30pm: Dubai - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
8pm: Sharjah - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.30pm: Ajman - Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,200m
9pm: Umm Al Quwain - The Entisar - Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 2,000m
9.30pm: Ras Al Khaimah - Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Fujairah - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees
Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme
Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks
Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGrowdash%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESean%20Trevaskis%20and%20Enver%20Sorkun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERestaurant%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Plus%20VC%2C%20Judah%20VC%2C%20TPN%20Investments%20and%20angel%20investors%2C%20including%20former%20Talabat%20chief%20executive%20Abdulhamid%20Alomar%2C%20and%20entrepreneur%20Zeid%20Husban%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
SUZUME
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