Ofcom has issued a warning to social media companies regarding their responsibility to tackle online abuse during the World Cup, with the regulator set to monitor measures taken against illegal hate content. The move follows the experiences of England players during the men's 2021 European Championship and the women's Euros last year.
Regulator's Concerns
Ofcom has urged online platforms to ensure they have effective mitigations against abuse in place and are adequately prepared for increased activity during the World Cup. The risk of online harms related to major sporting events is an area of significant concern for the regulator, citing research that shows the impact of abuse on players and others.
In previous tournaments, players, officials, and coaching staff representing the home nations have experienced online hate, threats, abuse, and harassment. Spikes in the circulation of this content have often targeted Black and minority ethnic players, as well as those perceived based on sexual orientation or disability status.
Research Findings
Ofcom's research highlighted the scale, severity, and normalisation of abuse online, including racist and threatening content directed at sportspeople, commentators, and others in the public eye. Participants reported that such abuse is often relentless, highly visible, and difficult to control. It can result in fear for personal and family safety, withdrawal from public life, and adverse effects on health and wellbeing.
The letter notes that Fifa research found the quarter-final between France and England caused the largest spike in abuse against players during the 2022 men's World Cup. This followed the abuse directed at Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho after England's penalty shootout defeat by Italy in 2021. In March, a man received a suspended jail sentence for directing malicious communications towards Jess Carter during the women's Euros in 2025.
Monitoring and Enforcement
Ofcom says it will monitor how companies deal with abuse on their platforms using a live compliance programme and will share information with key stakeholders, including the Football Association and the UK Football Policing Unit.
The Online Safety Act requires social media companies to ensure numerous measures are in place to keep users safe. A central demand is that all platforms should have an adequately resourced content management team capable of removing illegal content. They must also provide an easy and accessible complaints system, tools enabling users to disable comments, and a named individual responsible for ultimate compliance.
Ofcom is the independent regulator of online safety under the Online Safety Act, which came into effect in 2023. Under the act, it can fine a company 18 million pounds or up to 10% of worldwide revenue for failing to take action against illegal content.
