RUGBY and cricket have joined football this weekend in taking part in a social media boycott from 3pm tomorrow (Friday, April 30) until 11.59pm on Monday, May 3.

Premiership Rugby confirmed on Wednesday that the organisation and its clubs will unite with other sports in ‘going dark’ for the bank holiday weekend, while also giving its “full support” to BT Sport’s Draw The Line campaign. This boycott is supported by the Rugby Players’ Association.

This is the first stage of a multi-million pound BT campaign to step up and stand against hate speech and abuse on social media.

Many clubs have tweeted their support of the boycott, including the likes of Worcester City, Worcester Warriors and Worcestershire CCC. 

City tweeted:

Warriors' managing director Peter Kelly said: “As a club we accept that everyone has a right to free speech but we will not tolerate posts that over step the mark into personal or collective abuse.

“As part of our support for Draw The Line we shall be joining the boycott of social media over this weekend.

“From 3pm on Friday April 30 to 11.59pm on Monday May 3 we will not be posting anything on the club’s various social media channels.

“In order for the boycott to be fully effective we have also asked all members of staff – playing and non-playing – to resist the temptation to post on their own social media accounts for the duration of the boycott.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board, first-class counties, women’s regional teams and Professional Cricketers’ Association will all be involved.

Worcestershire start their match with Essex today but as of tomorrow at 3pm, will also join the campaign and halt their social media coverage. 

Premier League and Women’s Super League sponsor Barclays and broadcasters Talksport and BT Sport will also join the boycott starting tomorrow (Friday).

City's women will also be taking part. 

The British Basketball League have also confirmed their participation in this weekend's boycott. 

Worcester Wolves release a statement saying: 

“Following a statement from the BBL, the Worcester Wolves will be joining colleagues across the BBL and WBBL in a social media boycott this weekend from 3pm Friday 30 April through 11.59pm Monday 3 May. 

"All Worcester Wolves social media channels will be silent during this period as a call to action for the UK Government to confirm that the Online Safety Bill will allow for social media companies to be held responsible for ongoing racism and discrimination on their platforms.

"The Worcester Wolves stands united with other teams across the BBL and WBBL as well as colleagues in other sports in the fight against horrific abuse that continues to be seen across social media platforms.”