Arsenal legend and ex-French international footballer has announced his decision to quit social media over online “toxic” racism and abuse.

While calling on the tech giants to do more to combat the issue of racist and hurtful abuse online, Henry said he has decided to remove himself from all social media platforms until more is done.

Announcing to his 2.3million followers on Twitter, the footballer said the sheer volume of racism, bullying and resulting mental torture to individuals was “too toxic to ignore”, adding that from tomorrow, he will not be on social media “until the people in power are able to regulate their platforms with the same vigour and ferocity that they currently do when you infringe copyright.”

Several high profile Premier League players have been targeted online, with Arsenal players Eddie Nketiah, Willian, Granit Xhaka and Hector Bellerin among those to have allegedly received hateful comments.

Manchester United midfielder Fred and England international Jude Bellingham were the latest footballers to suffer racist abuse on Instagram as last weekend.

“Hi Guys. From tomorrow morning I will be removing myself from social media until the people in power are able to regulate their platforms with the same vigour and ferocity that they currently do when you infringe copyright.

“The sheer volume of racism, bullying and resulting mental torture to individuals is too toxic to ignore. There has to be some accountability.

“It is far too easy to create an account, use it to bully and harass without consequence and still remain anonymous. Until this changes, I will be disabling my accounts across all social platforms. I’m hoping this happens soon.”

Henry, who last month left his managerial role at Montreal Impact, has 2.3million followers on Twitter and a further 2.7million on Instagram