I HAVE read about Oxford City’s football player Lee Steele being sacked after his homophobic remark towards openly gay rugby star Gareth Thomas appeared on his Twitter account.
Will it reduce homophobic behaviour? I believe the remark couldn’t go ignored.
However, I struggle to see how releasing one semi-professional football player will reduce homophobia.
What is hoped is that Oxford City FC is setting an example and others will follow suit to tackle homophobic behaviour.
Steele’s tweet had been deleted by 1pm the following day, but it seemed the damage was already done.
As a PR student myself, I am fully pro social networking sites.
However, for me, the problem with all social networking sites is there is no boundary as to what can and cannot be publicly said; so how is it monitored, should the internet be censored?
I think unfortunately, no matter what you say, there is always a chance it will upset somebody around you.
Although I find Steele’s Twitter behaviour unacceptable, I ask myself would the same punishment have applied if a Premier League footballer had done the same, and will this stop homophobic behaviour?
Somehow I think not.
However, it may make people think twice before posting opinions online.
One thing is for sure, it will certainly teach Lee Steele a lesson!
CHARLOTTE CONNOLLY, Maple Road, Thame
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