By admin 
The FIFPRO players union said on Saturday that more must be done to protect footballers from racist abuse at the World Cup being held in North America.
Read more North Carolinians cross state line for fireworks ahead of Fourth of July rush
The Netherlands-based union said in a statement that players are suffering from “a growing pattern of abuse” on social media and in person.
“In recent weeks, players have faced abuse online and in person, much of it racist and discriminatory,” the union said. “There has been intimidation and hostility beyond the pitch. These incidents are not isolated; they point to a systemic pattern that cannot remain an accepted part of football or society.”
Read more Crews ‘battle high heat’ fighting Durham house fire late Friday; neighbors alert residents to blaze
The union did not give specific examples of abusive incidents.
It asked for soccer authorities, public officials and private institutions “to increase their efforts as monitoring and reporting alone cannot change behavior or prevent harm.”
Read more Multiple Triangle July 4th events adjusted because of extreme heat
___
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here