More than half of the players in the Euro and AFCON finals received some form of abuse online, the majority of which was homophobic, racist, and homophobic.
More than half of the players who attended last year’s European Championship and African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in February experienced discriminatory abuse online, a report released by the governing body says. FIFA global football announced.
Independence report used artificial intelligence to monitor more than 400,000 posts on social media platforms during the semi-finals and finals of two soccer tournaments and found the majority of abuses to be homophobic. counted, 40% and racist, 38%.
The report found that the majority of abuse came from the players’ home country and took place before, during and after the game.
England’s Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, who are black, have been hit by online abuse after missing their penalties against Italy, the European Championship final on Sunday. 11 July after the match ended in a draw.
An Egyptian substitute was the most abused player at this year’s AFCON finals, the report found.
“Our mission is to protect football and that starts with the players who bring so much joy and happiness to all of us with their achievements on the pitch,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. said in a statement on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, there is a growing trend where one percent of posts on social media channels directed at players, coaches, match officials and the teams themselves are unacceptable. received and this form of discrimination – like any form of discrimination – has no place in football,” he said.
The report adds that abuse on Twitter was constant throughout the study period while Instagram abuse was caused by “promoting events” – such as losing a final – and more than 75% of comments on the platform This includes emoticons.
Reuters has reached out to Twitter and Instagram for comment.
Ahead of the World Cup starting in Qatar in November, FIFA said it will work with the players’ organization FIFPRO to implement a plan to protect teams, players, officials and supporters from abuse. on social networks in international tournaments.
The two agencies will roll out moderation tools and provide educational support and mental health counseling for players at FIFA tournaments.
