FIFA, the governing body of world football, announced that their social media tools designed to protect players from online abuse will now be available to all 211 member associations and their teams. This initiative coincides with the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The Social Media Protection Service (SMPS), developed by FIFA and FIFPRO, was initially introduced at the 2023 Women’s World Cup to help combat hate speech on social media platforms and shield athletes from harmful content. Several teams participating in the ongoing European Championship and the upcoming Copa América have already joined the SMPS.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the importance of safeguarding players, coaches, officials, and teams from online abuse and harassment. Infantino highlighted the effectiveness of the SMPS during FIFA tournaments and stressed the need to extend its availability to all member associations globally. The SMPS was originally launched at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and since its inception, FIFA reported that the service successfully concealed 2.6 million abusive comments. Additionally, close to 31,000 instances of “abusive content” were reported to major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube, resulting in account suspensions as a penalty.
During the 2023 Women’s World Cup, an alarming statistic revealed that one in five players experienced online abuse. This alarming trend underscores the significance of implementing measures such as the SMPS to protect athletes and combat cyberbullying. FIFA announced that the SMPS will also be utilized at upcoming sporting events, including the Olympic Games in Paris, the under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, the Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan, and the U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic. By expanding the reach of the SMPS to various levels of competition, FIFA aims to create a safer digital environment for athletes worldwide.
FIFA’s decision to extend the reach of the Social Media Protection Service to all member associations demonstrates a proactive approach towards enhancing player safety in the digital sphere. Through collaboration with FIFPRO and the implementation of effective tools to combat online abuse, FIFA is taking a significant step in protecting athletes from the harmful impacts of hate speech and cyberbullying. This initiative not only safeguards individual players but also promotes a culture of respect and inclusion within the global football community.