Bernard Parker voices out on cyberbullying against SA footballers
TS Galaxy star Bernard Parker has made a sombre revelation about how cyberbullying has affected players, imploring key stakeholders to help footballers combat it.
Parker is one of the prominent figures enlisted by Clinix Health Group to champion their latest initiative against substance addiction. Former Banyana Banyana player Portia Modise and Olympic silver medalist Luvo Manyonga serve alongside Parker as ambassadors using their influence to raise awareness and educate the public about the widespread issue of substance abuse.
The former Kaizer Chiefs man is concerned with how football players have been trolled on social media in recent times. Percy Tau, in particular, has been a subject of ridicule after Bafana Bafana matches.
After Nigeria’s clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Bafana attacker was subjected to heavy criticism from a section of supporters who were not pleased with his performance.
He was an unused substitute when Bafana beat Zimbabwe 3-1 at Free State Stadium. Among other players, the former Mamelodi Sundowns forward has been subject to serious online bullying. Tau has often been attacked online by Al Ahly fans in Egypt.
WHAT BERNARD PARKER SAID
This has prompted TS Galaxy star Bernard Parker to speak out, as the number of players being bullied online increases daily.
“It’s a real killer in the industry because anyone in the world can send a direct message to me. And if it’s a bad message, it doesn’t go away; it stays on the back of your mind while on the field of play,” said Parker.
“This can affect the task at hand. It’s really important that we have more projects and more people discussing social media and cyberbullying.
“We tend to become big-headed and then chase fame and lose focus on the job at hand, then also get lost in the system. It’s important to keep the mentality at its best,” added Parker.
PORTIA MODISE SPEAKS ON DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Meanwhile, Portia Modise is concerned with how football players are falling on hard times due to drug and substance abuse in SA.
“This is close to my heart. Not only for substance abuse but for mental health issues. I do believe, if I was not strong enough, I wouldn’t have made this interview,” she said.
“Football can break you. We have footballers using substances, not knowing the effects. There are those doing it because they believe it gives them performance.
“…You can stay in this thing and think you won’t get caught, but it will backfire.”
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