ALESSIA RUSSO admits she prefers to steer clear of social media during major tournaments to avoid scrolling through damaging posts.
The England star was sharing her thoughts in response to vile online abuse directed at tennis star Katie Boulter.
This week the British number two opened up on receiving expletive-laden messages online during this year’s.
These included threatening posts referencing her loved ones which were sent during her first-round defeat of Caroline Monnet at Roland Garros on May 29.
ace Russo was speaking a day after gathered at St George’s Park to continue preparations for this year’s Euros in Switzerland.
The Lionesses, who play France on July 5 in their group stage opener, hope to win the contest for the second time following their .
When asked if online abuse is something she experienced, the striker said: “I think every player might have a different story about that side of the game.
“It’s definitely one that can be really damaging.
“I have faced it in the past and I think most players here have. When I was younger I probably got sucked into it more.
“I read it more than I should have and listened to it more than I should have.
“The only opinions that matter are my team-mates, my coaches and my family.
“I think you have to remember that they are the people you need to lean on in tough times.”;
Last year Russo’s England team-mate Lauren James teamed up with payment tech firm Visa to tackle online abuse directed at women footballers.
The firm commissioned an analysis of tweets mentioning England, Spain and France players from July 6 to 31 in 2022 and July 20 to August 20 2023.
Their research revealed that nearly one in ten (9%) online comments from tweeted posts were negative.
Before the 2023 Women’s World Cup Russo took the decision to stay off social media during the tournament
The 50-capped Lioness helped England reach the contest’s final in Sydney, Australia where her team fell to a narrow 1-0 loss to Spain.
On her approach to social media at major tournaments Russo added: “As I’ve got older, I understand more what works for me.
“In my first Euros I was on social media and I would have a look, have a scroll, and I got caught in a trap sometimes.
“Going into the World Cup, I completely came off everything and I had people to run my Instagram.
“I just focused on the tournament. It’s personal preference and whatever works for the team.
“Staying away from it and staying focused as a team is what works for me.”;
