
Faceless online cowards will keep abusing Katie Boulter and Co until social media giants decide to care, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI
Jack Draper put it best. His view was offered in response to something Katie Boulter disclosed earlier this week, when she took the admirable step of sharing the filth that gets sent to her social media accounts.
By now, we are well aware of the toxic messaging that regularly finds its way to an athlete's inbox — abusive, threatening, often from a faceless minority of low-lives who follow a bad bet with worse judgments on whom to blame.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Aspinall upgraded to undisputed UFC champion as Jones retires
Manchester's Tom Aspinall has been upgraded to undisputed heavyweight champion as the UFC announced Jon Jones had officially decision, delivered by Dana White after a UFC Fight Night in Azerbaijan, brings to an end seven months of uncertainty in the heavyweight is just the third Briton to become a UFC champion and spent 19 months as interim champion."Jon Jones called us last night and retired," White said. "Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC."Do I regret the time that I gave [Jones to decide]? Listen, if you look at what he's accomplished in the sport, no."Jones, 37, claimed the heavyweight title in March 2023 and fought Stipe Miocic last November, despite Aspinall claiming the interim belt the year campaigned for a fight with Jones but the American decided against accepting the UFC's is considered one of the best mixed martial artists of all time but will turn 38 in July and said previously fighting Aspinall wouldn't add to his "legacy".Aspinall reacted to the news on his social media, saying: "For you fans, it's time to get this heavyweight division going. An active undisputed champion."The Englishman is expected to defend the title this summer or early autumn and is likely to face number-one contender Ciryl has not fought since July 2024 and has spent just three minutes and 22 seconds in the octagon since 2023."I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and obviously money, but we'll make it up to him," said White. "Tom Aspinall's a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process. "He's been willing to do anything, fight him anywhere at any time and do this, and now he's like 'I'll fight anybody - you tell me who and I'll fight them'." Heavyweight uncertainty finally ends - analysis Aspinall goes down in history as the longest-reigning interim champion in the and desperate negotiations have left the division at a standstill for seven months and fans will be left wondering why the UFC let it go on for so November, White has insisted again and again the fight between Aspinall and Jones would be made. It wasn't until the last two weeks that the UFC president finally seemed to signal they weren't going to be able to convince such is the power of the star, 'Bones' Jones was permitted to keep the belt despite a lengthy injury absence and was allowed to fight Miocic, a retiring legend, instead of Aspinall on his allowances were understandable in many ways given the circumstances, but it is also true they happened because Jones has earned his right to even his power has a limit and the UFC has reached it. Now the heavyweight division will open a new chapter, with an Englishman at the is a seminal moment for UK MMA as Aspinall follows in the footsteps of Leon Edwards and Michael Bisping and becomes the first Briton to hold the UFC heavyweight title, arguably the most coveted title in Mancunian has played the devoted company man and should now be rewarded, although two-time title challenger Gane will not be an easy first will feel his reign as undisputed champion won't officially start until the next time his hand is raised in the octagon.


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Peterborough Paralympic medallist recognised with blue plaque
A blue plaque is being unveiled for the Paralympic shooting gold medallist Matt will be on display at Whittlesey Rifle Club in the Cambridgeshire town, where Skelhon who is from Peterborough, won the gold medal in the SH1 10m prone air rifle event at the Beijing Olympics in plaque will be unveiled at 12:30 BST on Sunday, during the Whittlesey Big Bash annual summer event, where he is a guest of honour. A spokesperson for the club said: "Matt Skelhon is taking a break from training to be there and meet the public."The Whittlesey Big Bash 2025 is well worth visiting with 300 classic vehicles, a family disco and the chance to try other sports like archery, tennis and fishing, all for free."The rifle club is based at Manor Leisure Centre, which is due to be redeveloped with a new facility for the Whittlesey Big Bash begins on Sunday at 11:00 at the leisure centre. Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.

Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
England reach last four of European Under-21 Championship after beating Spain
The Young Lions, who next face the Netherlands, benefited from an early let-off after a VAR check resulted in an overturned penalty. Captain James McAtee opened the scoring in the 10th minute and Harvey Elliott netted his second goal of the tournament five minutes later. What a win. What a performance. OUR #YOUNGLIONS ARE INTO THE #U21EURO SEMI-FINALS! 👏 — England (@England) June 21, 2025 Javi Guerra clawed a goal back for Spain with a 39th-minute penalty, but substitute Elliot Anderson's own spot-kick in second-half stoppage time assured Lee Carsley's men of their spot in the final four. England got off to an unsteady start as Spain thought they won a penalty when Charlie Cresswell – looking like he was trying to get out of the way – was penalised with a handball by on-field referee Simone Sozza. The Italian was called to the monitor by his VAR compatriot, and England breathed a sigh of relief when the call was overturned. McAtee opened the scoring from an Alex Scott corner after a flick-on by Omari Hutchinson. Spain got a touch, but only in the direction of the alert England skipper, who turned home from close range. A big quarter-final performance from the England captain ©️🏴#U21POTM | #U21EURO — UEFA Men's Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 21, 2025 Elliott doubled England's advantage five minutes later, tapping in the rebound after Spain goalkeeper Alejandro Iturbe spilled a save from Jarell Quansah's long-range effort. England gifted Spain another chance from 12 yards, however, after losing the ball deep inside their own third, exacerbating the error when Quansah, who dangled a leg, caught Alberto Moleiro and Sozza immediately pointed to the spot. Guerra stepped up and halved the deficit after coolly sending James Beadle the wrong way. Some great work from Quansah and Hutchinson after the restart nearly set up Jay Stansfield, who saw his effort deflect over, shortly before Cresswell nodded a corner into the side-netting. Beadle twice denied Guerra then gathered up a Mateo Joseph effort, while England were still in search of a first shot on target since Elliott's goal with 20 minutes remaining after Morton fired just wide. Jack Hinshelwood should have extended England's lead but he mistimed a free header over the crossbar. England hit Spain, who were searching for a late equaliser, on the counter when Iturbe was punished for bringing down Jonathan Rowe inside the penalty area, which Anderson slotted home to seal victory.