Get the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing by signing up for our free sports newsletter
For all the latest news, sign up for our free sports email
World Rugby has announced that it is taking legal action after match officials and players were subjected to online abuse during the 2023 World Cup.
One person has been charged in Australia with online abuse, cases are pending in other jurisdictions including France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and 1,600 social media accounts have been reported to the platform for violating community guidelines.
England’s Wayne Burns announced his retirement five days after refereeing the Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand, and his wife Polly received death threats during the tournament in France and said she had suffered such abuse. He revealed that he had received it many times.
Referee Tom Foley announced in December that he would be stepping away from international rugby, citing the “storm of criticism and abuse” he received after the final match while officiating on TV.
Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby, said: “The rise in online hatred in society and sport is alarming and completely unacceptable. We will continue to support the international game by bringing abusers to justice. “We will do everything in our power to protect and support those involved and their families.”
“As a result of our partnership with Signify Group, we were able to uncover and identify abusers and take action through law enforcement agencies in multiple countries.
“We want prosecutors to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated and that even those hiding false names on social media networks can be identified and prosecuted. Masu.
“It is important to note that this program does not stifle debate, legitimate criticism or freedom of speech, but rather upholds the values of respect, compassion, decent human beings and rugby.
“We will leverage the recommendations in this report to help us better understand online trends and address areas where abuse originates. Some of these aspects are highlighted in February’s Shape -It will be reflected in the conversation of the game.”
More than 900 social media accounts were monitored by Signify Group over a seven-week period during the World Cup in September and October last year, including the accounts of all match officials with public social accounts.
Accounts monitored included family members of match officials and official World Rugby channels.
The film’s impact comes on the eve of the broadcast of Whistleblower, a universally available film about match officials’ journey to and through the 2023 Games. It also highlights the scale of online abuse faced by women.
World Rugby said the removal rate was around 90% for the more extreme abusive accounts reported to the platform.
We hope that prosecutors will send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated and that even those hiding false names on social media networks can be identified and prosecuted. .
World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin
“Those who abuse or threaten players, match officials or their families must know there are consequences for their actions,” Burns said.
“It’s great to see World Rugby taking the lead and bringing the first charges against the individuals who sent such an appalling message.
“There is no place for such behavior in rugby, in sports, or in society.”
Match officials, including TMOs, were on the receiving end of 49 percent of all abuse during tournaments.
The top 10 most targeted individuals included three match officials, with Barnes the most targeted, receiving a third of all abuse.
The England team suffered the most abuse, followed by South Africa and France.