FIFA expands Social Media Protection Service globally

FIFA has taken a significant step in the fight against online abuse by extending its Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) to all 211 member associations and their teams. This initiative, developed in partnership with FIFPRO, aims to address the issue of hate speech directed towards players on social media platforms. The SMPS was initially piloted during the 2023 women's World Cup and has since been adopted by teams participating in the European Championship and Copa America.

Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, has stressed the importance of protecting players, coaches, officials, and teams from online abuse. The SMPS was first introduced during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where it successfully concealed 2.6 million abusive comments and led to the reporting of 31,000 instances of abusive content to social media platforms, resulting in account suspensions.

Statistics from the 2023 Women's World Cup revealed that one in five players experienced online abuse, highlighting the necessity of such protective measures. Moving forward, the SMPS will be utilized in various upcoming events, including the Olympic Games in Paris, the Under-20 women's World Cup in Colombia, the Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan, and the Under-17 women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic.

FIFA's expansion of the SMPS demonstrates its commitment to creating a safer online environment for athletes and teams. By actively combating online abuse, FIFA is setting a positive example for sports organizations worldwide and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity in the digital sphere.