UK to crack down on online hate against football players during World Cup
Key Points
- Ofcom has reached out to online platforms requiring them to take measures against online abuse against players and public figures during the FIFA World Cup.
- The watchdog says it regularly sees spikes in harassment and illegal content over these types of competitions, and it has reminded service providers of their duties under the Online Safety Act.
- Companies such as X and Meta will need to comply with the Act's relevant rules and have measures in place to quickly stamp out illegal content during the World Cup.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 prepares to kick off, the UK’s communications watchdog has contacted with social media platforms, requiring them to protect football players from abuse.
Ofcom has written to platforms such as X and Meta to remind them of their duties under the recently introduced Online Safety Act, which requires them to moderate content and promptly take down illegal content.
The regulator said that often during major events like the FIFA World Cup, there is a spike in the circulation of online abuse and harassment towards players, especially those of minority ethnicities or perceived sexual orientation.
Research has shown that sports stars with a public profile who are exposed to this online abuse suffer in their professional and personal lives. Commentators, players, and other public sports figures often feel online abuse is widespread and impacts their lives directly, resulting in fear for personal safety and directly affecting their wellbeing.
Ofcom has reminded online platforms that under UK law, much of this abuse can be classified as illegal, including threats and harassment, and it said it now expects service providers to minimise and curb the proliferation of this content.
Specifically, the UK will require online platforms to prepare for increased occurrence of online hate and abuse during the World Cup, and to ensure they are ready to rapidly take down this content when it arises.
Social media platforms are expected to conduct risk assessments and mitigate the risks they are aware of. They will need to have content moderation teams and easy-to-use reporting process. Platforms must make it easy for users to block others or disable comments, and they must name a senior individual at the company who is responsible for compliance with Ofcom’s rules.
“No-one should have to put up the awful online abuse that we’ve seen directed towards so many people who work in sport,” said Ofcom Online Safety Group Director Oliver Griffiths.
“We’ve heard from those who have experienced this about the devastating impact it has on them, their livelihoods and their families. It can leave them feeling unable to do their jobs, unable to express themselves, and even afraid to leave their homes.”
“Tech firms now have a legal duty to deal with illegal hate and abuse. If people see illegal content online during the World Cup, they should make a point of reporting it to the relevant platform,” Griffiths said.
“We’re pushing companies hard to make their services safer, and we’ll be holding them to account if they don’t.”
