Arsenal have controversially begun banning fans for abusive behaviour on Twitter

Premier League club Arsenal have begun banning fans from attending matches for abusive behaviour on social media.

‘Trolling’ and verbal abuse have become prevalent during the growth of social media in the 21st century and it is excellent to see a large football club take a stand.

The Gunners have teamed up with football’s equality and inclusion campaign ‘Kick It Out’ to identify and ban fans guilty of online abuse.

Arsenal have ensured that those found guilty will not be allowed to attend any Arsenal fixtures at the Emirates Stadium, buy tickets for Arsenal’s away games or even attend any other events that are held at the Emirates.

The new measures are considered controversial amongst the Arsenal fan base.

AFC banning fans for online behaviour. If it's for homophobic / racist / abusive behaviour, I totally back it. pic.twitter.com/wFFZHpagkJ

— Le Grove (@LeGrove) 7 July 2016

Arsenal boot someone from the club for being racist/homophobic/whatever and then someone says club lacks class by doing so. Irony alert.

— Doug Nichols (@TheTXI) 7 July 2016

How can Arsenal ban someone for what they do in their own personal time and on their own personal social media accounts, that's madness!

— Mr DT © (@DeejayDt) 7 July 2016

Ban fans for a few banter tweets but pay £8,000,000 to a manager who underperforms every year. Only at Arsenal.

— MC (@mediocentroEN) 7 July 2016

Seriously hope Arsenal start properly policing twitter and start banning people who don't rate Ramsey

— 18 y 228 d (@hahostolze) 7 July 2016

Seriously hope Arsenal start properly policing twitter and start banning people who don't rate Ramsey

— 18 y 228 d (@hahostolze) 7 July 2016

Arsenal Football Club are a disgrace for sending me this letter. How dare you stop someone havin a say #afc #arsenal pic.twitter.com/YnRIAxZHUu

— Fuck Arsenal Board (@PrinceKp87) 7 July 2016

@listenoldchap I wasn't that's why it's so confusing. I'm colour myself so that's funny. But I never am racist so it's odd.

— Fuck Arsenal Board (@PrinceKp87) 7 July 2016

Why delete the tweet if you haven't done anything wrong? @PrinceKp87 pic.twitter.com/1lwF3JnG0H

— El Loco Goose (@CrazyGoose) 7 July 2016