Leading Premier League players will undertake a 24-hour social media boycott on Friday in protest at recent incidents of racist abuse.

The boycott, organised by the players’ union, the Professional Footballers’ Association, under the #Enough hashtag, aims to bring players together to demand more action from social media networks and authorities.

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The move, supported by the Tottenham defender Danny Rose, comes after a spate of racist abuses in football, in the English game and internationally, that have stretched from the pitch to the stands and across social media.

The PFA said the campaign was the “first step in a longer campaign to tackle racism in football” which would include pressure on the Football Association, the English games governing body, the government and international football bodies Uefa and Fifa.

Simone Pound, head of equalities at the PFA, said: “Football has the power to do so much good in the world. We must always try to use the sport’s popularity and influence to make positive change. Over the last few months we have seen a rise in appalling instances of racist abuse at grounds around the world, and on social media. We cannot stand by while too little is done to address this unacceptable behaviour.”

Rose, who was racially abused by Montenegro fans last month when playing for England in Podgorica andsaid he “couldn’t wait to see the back of football” because of racism, lent his support to the campaign, saying: “Football has a problem with racism.

“I don’t want any future players to go through what I’ve been through in my career. Collectively, we are simply not willing to stand by while too little is done by football authorities and social media companies to protect players from this disgusting abuse.”

The PFA is encouraging professional players in the men’s and women’s game to post an Enough graphic on their social media accounts before beginning the boycott at 9am on Friday. “The boycott acts as a show of unity by the players, and a call for stronger action to be taken by social networks and footballing authorities in response to racist abuse both on and off the pitch,” the PFA said.

“Players recognise that these racist incidents are a reflection of societal issues. They know first-hand how damaging racism can be and are using their platforms to inspire change that will benefit players, football and society as a whole. The boycott is the first step in a longer campaign to tackle racism in football.”

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Online racism included abuse of the Manchester United defender Chris Smalling following his side’s Champions League quarter-final defeat in Barcelona this week.

Smalling said: “Throughout my career I have developed a thick skin against verbal abuse, justifying it as just ‘part of the game’, but the time has come for Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to consider regulating their channels.”

United’s Ashley Young, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha are among other Premier League players to have been the victims of such abuse over recent weeks. Young, like Smalling, was targeted after the game at Barcelona.

Watford players Troy Deeney and Christian Kabasele also received online abuse after their side’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, prompting Deeney to disable the comments on his Instagram page.

Deeney, Watford’s captain, said: “The boycott is just one small step, but the players are speaking out with one voice against racism. Enough is enough.”

On Monday, MK Dons said abuse of their player Chuks Aneke was “totally disgusting and unacceptable” after their 2-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers.

Raheem Sterling, the Manchester City and England forward, sparked a powerful debate last year when he accused sections of the media of helping to “fuel racism” with their portrayal of young black footballers after he was the victim of alleged racist abuse during a game at defeat at Chelsea. The PFA’s campaign indicates the concern that the new social media giants are not doing enough to protect players.

Danielle Carter, who plays for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League and England, said: “Football is more popular than it has ever been, but we have a discontented generation of players who won’t stand for racist abuse any longer. Enough is enough.

“We want to see social media companies take proper responsibility for racist abuse on their platforms and we want them to find solutions.”