FIFA has identified over 30,000 abusive social media posts in 2025 through its Social Media Protection Service (SMPS). This initiative aims to shield players, coaches, teams, and match officials from the detrimental impacts of online harassment. Established in 2022 in collaboration with the players’ union FIFPRO, the SMPS employs advanced technology alongside expert analysis to combat online abuse.
Monitoring and Reporting Abusive Content
During a recent Club World Cup held in the United States, FIFA utilized the SMPS to monitor online interactions. The service focused on tracking players, coaches, and officials, processing a staggering 5.9 million posts from 2,401 active accounts across five social media platforms. The results were telling:
- 179,517 posts were flagged for review.
- 20,587 abusive posts were reported to social media platforms.
This significant amount of flagged content underscores the ongoing battle against online abuse in sports.
FIFA’s Commitment to Combat Online Abuse
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the organization’s commitment to combating online abuse. He stated, “Our message is clear: abuse has no place in our game.” Infantino noted that FIFA will continue to collaborate with member associations, confederations, and law enforcement to ensure accountability for offenders. As part of their approach, FIFA has implemented measures to blacklist individuals from purchasing tickets for tournaments if they engage in abusive behavior.
Impact of the SMPS Initiative
Since the inception of the SMPS, more than 65,000 abusive posts have been reported to various social media platforms. FIFA’s proactive measures reflect an increasing recognition of the need to protect individuals in the sport from the harmful effects of online abuse.
With the rising number of identified abusive posts, FIFA remains focused on creating a safer environment for all involved in football, reinforcing that such behavior is unacceptable in both sports and society at large.
