Facebook says it is "horrified" at the continued online abuse of footballers and has announced what is says are tougher measures to tackle the issue.
The social media platform is changing the rules governing direct messaging on Instagram, a platform it also owns.
It will disable the accounts of those found to have repeatedly sent abusive private messages on Instagram.
A number of Premier League footballers - including Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Axel Tuanzebe, West Brom's Romaine , Chelsea full-back Reece James and his sister, Manchester United forward Lauren James - have been subjected to abusive online messages in recent weeks.
The Football Association has called for action from the government, which has since stated social media companies could face "large fines" potentially amounting to "billions of pounds" if they fail to tackle abuse on their platforms.
