Ofcom has reached out to social media platforms to remind them of their obligations concerning online harassment, particularly as the World Cup approaches. The regulator emphasized its commitment to monitoring the effectiveness of measures designed to combat “illegal hate content” throughout the tournament.
Following the troubling incidents faced by England players during the men’s 2021 European Championship and the women’s Euros last year, Ofcom has urged these platforms to ensure robust protections against abuse are in place. The organization stresses the need for readiness in light of anticipated increases in online abuse during the World Cup.
The issue of online harm tied to significant sporting events is described as “an area of significant concern” for Ofcom. The regulator cites its own findings, which illustrate the damaging effects that abuse can have on athletes and others involved in sports.
“In previous tournaments, players, officials, and coaching staff representing the home nations have encountered online hate, threats, abuse, and harassment,” the letter from Ofcom states. “There have been notable spikes in the distribution of such content, often targeting Black and minority ethnic players, as well as individuals based on perceived sexual orientation or disabilities.”
Ofcom’s research underscores the pervasive nature and severity of online abuse, highlighting how it has become normalized. This includes racist and threatening messages aimed not only at athletes but also at commentators and public figures. Participants reported that such abuse frequently feels relentless and highly visible, leading to fears for personal safety and negatively impacting health and well-being.
The letter also references findings from FIFA, indicating that the quarter-final match between France and England led to the highest surge in abuse aimed at players during the 2022 men’s World Cup. This trend followed the harassment directed at Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho after England’s penalty shootout loss to Italy in 2021. Recently, a man received a suspended prison sentence for sending malicious communications to Jess Carter during the women’s Euros in 2025.
To address these issues, Ofcom plans to oversee how social media companies manage abuse on their platforms through a “live compliance program.” They will also collaborate with key stakeholders, including the Football Association and the UK Football Policing Unit, to share relevant information.
The Online Safety Act mandates that social media firms implement comprehensive measures to protect their users. A primary requirement is for all platforms to maintain an “adequately resourced” content management team capable of removing illegal materials. Additionally, these companies must provide a user-friendly complaints system, tools for disabling comments, and appoint a designated individual responsible for compliance with regulations.
As the independent regulator for online safety, Ofcom’s authority has expanded with the introduction of the Online Safety Act, which took effect in 2023. Under this legislation, it can impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of a company’s global revenue for non-compliance regarding illegal content removal.
