COLCHESTER United interim head coach Hayden Mullins says 'something must be done' to deal with social media abuse.

The U's and other EFL and Premier League clubs, along with English football’s largest governing bodies and organisations including the Football Association, Premier League and EFL have gone silent on social media in a show of solidarity against racism.

The FA Women’s Super League, FA Women’s Championship, Professional Footballers’ Association, League Managers Association, PGMOL, Kick It Out, Women in Football and the Football Supporters’ Association also suspended all use of their social media accounts at 3pm today until 11.59pm on Monday.

It is in response to the ongoing and sustained discriminatory abuse received online by players and many others connected to football.

Mullins says he supports the social media blackout, which is being backed by the Daily Gazette this weekend.

Mullins said: “I think the boycott is a good thing.

“There’s got to be a stand taken and if this is the way they want to do it, then so be it.

“Something has to be done.

“It can’t keep carrying on and it’s all forms of abuse.

“It’s not right that players or management or staff in football or anyone has to take abuse.

“It seems to be a bit of a grey area and it’s always been that way.

“Players and officials get abused both on the pitch and privately but you wouldn’t stand it in any other walk of life or any other business.

"Something needs to happen and I’m glad they’re going down these kind of avenues."

Mullins played in the Premier League during a successful playing career.

But the former West Ham United and Portsmouth man says he chooses not use social media.

He added: “I don’t get involved with social media and I never did when I played, either.

“I have accounts but I’m not active on them at all."