Fifa step up action against online abuse on International Day for Tolerance

As the world commemorated International Day for Tolerance on Sunday, Fifa intensified its crackdown on online abuse. This year alone, Fifa have reported more than 30,000 abusive posts to social media platforms.

The global governing body of football has disclosed that it has referred eleven individuals to law enforcement agencies across various nations. Offenders were mainly from Argentina, Brazil, France, Poland, Spain, the UK and the US, all in connection with offences reported during Fifa competitions.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino emphasised the necessity for a safe and inclusive environment in football, stating: “On the International Day for Tolerance, I want to make it abundantly clear that football must be a safe and inclusive space – on the pitch, in the stands, and online.”

His comments underscore the organisation’s commitment to protecting players, coaches, teams and match officials from the detrimental effects of online harassment.

Since the introduction of the Fifa Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) in 2022, developed in collaboration with players’ union Fifpro, the body has actively monitored, reported and blocked abusive content across social platforms.

Despite facing criticism for a perceived decrease in anti-racism messaging during this summer’s Club World Cup held in the US, Fifa clarified that the SMPS was operating effectively throughout the tournament.

According to Fifa’s statement, during the World Cup the SMPS surveyed 2,401 active accounts across five social media platforms, analysing 5.9 million posts. The SMPS reviewed a total of 179,517 posts and formally reported 20,587 to the relevant platforms.

Infantino reiterated Fifa’s stance against online abuse, saying: “Our message is clear: abuse has no place in our game, and we will continue to work with our member associations, the confederations and law enforcement authorities to hold offenders accountable.”

In a notable policy shift, Fifa now also blocks identified offenders from purchasing tickets to future tournaments as part of its comprehensive strategy to curb online abuse.

Since the inception of the SMPS, more than 65 000 abusive posts have been reported to various social media platforms, highlighting Fifa’s ongoing commitment to fostering a respectful and safe environment in the realm of football.