England captain Maro Itoje condemned social media's "corrosive" effects after Ireland's Edwin Edogbo faced racist abuse following his Six Nations debut. Betting note: increased scrutiny and possible sanctions or selection changes could shift match and player odds — punters should monitor IRFU and disciplinary updates before placing bets on upcoming fixtures or player props.
Maro Itoje blasts social media after Edwin Edogbo racial abuse
England captain Maro Itoje has criticised the "corrosive" influence of social media after Ireland's Edwin Edogbo was the target of racial abuse online following his international debut in rugby. Edogbo, born and raised in County Cork to Nigerian parents, was abused after coming on as a replacement in Ireland's 20-13 Six Nations win over Italy, prompting an IRFU investigation.
Details of the abuse and investigation
Edogbo's appearance for Ireland triggered a wave of online racist comments. The Irish Rugby Football Union has launched inquiries into the abuse, underscoring a growing need for robust responses to online hate directed at players.
Itoje: social media is "a force for negativity"
Itoje warned that while social platforms can be positive, they are also "a force for negativity" and can be damaging to athletes' mental health. He urged top-level players not to spend excessive time on social media, saying its effects are "really corrosive" and predicting long-term harm to brains and society if unchecked.
Balancing presence and protection
While insisting athletes need a social media presence for their careers, Itoje cautioned against being seduced by hype. He noted that positive coverage can be exaggerated and negative coverage extreme, encouraging athletes to maintain perspective and protect their wellbeing.
Wider context: Vinicius Jr and the shifting landscape of accountability
Itoje drew parallels with recent racist incidents affecting footballer Vinicius Jr, pointing out that similar events decades ago might have been ignored. He argued that although the attention today is an improvement in accountability, the community must continue working to stamp out racism.
Implications for rugby, teams and bettors
Heightened scrutiny and investigations can influence team selection, player availability and disciplinary outcomes — factors that affect odds in upcoming matches and player markets.
Curry: England ready to attack Ireland - we have to be better
Punters should monitor IRFU updates and team sheets closely, as inquiries or sanctions may change match dynamics and betting value. In-play markets and short-term proposition bets can offer alternatives when off-field issues create uncertainty.
Sky Sports
