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More than half of all players at the finals of 2021’s European Championship and Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) were subjected to some form of discriminatory abuse online, a report published by global football governing body Fifa has revealed.
The independent report used artificial intelligence to track more than 400,000 posts on social media platforms during the semifinal and final stages of the two competitions and found most abuse to be homophobic (40%) and racist (38%).
It added that much of the abuse came from players’ home nations and took place before, during and after games.
England’s Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, who are black, were bombarded with online abuse after missing their spot-kicks in a shoot-out against Italy that settled the July 11 European Championship final after the game finished in a draw.
The report said a substitute player from Egypt was the most abused player at the Afcon finals in 2022.
“Our duty is to protect football and that starts with the players who bring so much joy and happiness to all of us by their exploits on the field of play,” Fifa president Gianni Infantino said.
“Unfortunately, there is a trend developing where a percentage of posts on social media channels directed towards players, coaches, match officials and the teams themselves is not acceptable, and this form of discrimination — like any form of discrimination — has no place in football.”
The report added that the abuse on Twitter was constant across the period of its study while Instagram abuse was “event driven” — like losing a final — and more than 75% of comments on the platform included emojis.
Reuters has contacted Twitter and Instagram for comment.
Ahead of the World Cup starting in Qatar in November, Fifa said it would work with players’ body FIFPRO to implement a plan to protect teams, players, officials and supporters from abuse on social media during international tournaments.
The two bodies will launch moderation tools and offer educational support and mental health advice to players at Fifa tournaments.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Study reveals rampant online abuse of footballers
More than half of all players at the finals of 2021’s European Championship and Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) were subjected to some form of discriminatory abuse online, a report published by global football governing body Fifa has revealed.
The independent report used artificial intelligence to track more than 400,000 posts on social media platforms during the semifinal and final stages of the two competitions and found most abuse to be homophobic (40%) and racist (38%).
It added that much of the abuse came from players’ home nations and took place before, during and after games.
England’s Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, who are black, were bombarded with online abuse after missing their spot-kicks in a shoot-out against Italy that settled the July 11 European Championship final after the game finished in a draw.
The report said a substitute player from Egypt was the most abused player at the Afcon finals in 2022.
“Our duty is to protect football and that starts with the players who bring so much joy and happiness to all of us by their exploits on the field of play,” Fifa president Gianni Infantino said.
“Unfortunately, there is a trend developing where a percentage of posts on social media channels directed towards players, coaches, match officials and the teams themselves is not acceptable, and this form of discrimination — like any form of discrimination — has no place in football.”
The report added that the abuse on Twitter was constant across the period of its study while Instagram abuse was “event driven” — like losing a final — and more than 75% of comments on the platform included emojis.
Reuters has contacted Twitter and Instagram for comment.
Ahead of the World Cup starting in Qatar in November, Fifa said it would work with players’ body FIFPRO to implement a plan to protect teams, players, officials and supporters from abuse on social media during international tournaments.
The two bodies will launch moderation tools and offer educational support and mental health advice to players at Fifa tournaments.
Reuters
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