Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s emotional plea to end social media abuse in football amid Michael Oliver row | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has called on all football fans to end their campaigns of hate after controversial referee Michael Oliver received death threats.

Oliver received online abuse after sending off Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly at Wolves on Saturday.

Arsenal boss Arteta said: “Regardless of whether it is a player or a coach, a referee — it does not matter.

“We have to work harder to try to eradicate that part of the game that brings nothing but bad stuff, bad taste and it makes people’s lives more difficult. Let’s get it out, let’s kick it out.”

And Arteta, while celebrating the news he will have his wonderkid free of suspension, expressed his dismay at the abuse his club’s supporters aimed at  Oliver.

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He only recently spoke out spoke out after Arsenal forward Kai Havertz and his pregnant wife received vile threats too.

Asked if he was aiming his message at Arsenal fans in particular, he added: “It is for everyone in football. You should not be permitted [to do that]. We don’t want it, we don’t need it, and it certainly damages our sport.

“We need to create an environment that’s much better at a social level: one that’s healthier, that’s nicer, in which we reward things that are not only winning, that when people make mistakes they have the chance to fix it.

“We shouldn’t be here with this hatred, these things we see, because they affect everyone and in the end, they take away the joy of this sport, the reason for it: which is enjoy ourselves, have good moments.”

Lewis-Skelly is now available for Sunday’s visit of Manchester City, next week’s League Cup semi-final second leg at Newcastle and the trip to Leicester on 15 February.