Fifa announced it has reported more than 30,000 abusive posts to social media platforms in 2025. The governing body of world football said it identified and acted against harmful online behavior targeting players, coaches, teams, and match officials.
Law Enforcement Involvement Across Multiple Countries
The report revealed that 11 individuals faced law enforcement scrutiny this year. One case reached Interpol. The offenders came from Argentina, Brazil, France, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the US. Fifa confirmed that all were identified following abusive behavior during Fifa competitions.
“On the International Day for Tolerance, I want to make it clear that football must remain safe and inclusive on the pitch, in the stands, and online,” said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Social Media Protection Service in Action
Fifa launched the Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) in 2022 alongside the players’ union Fifpro. The system monitors, reports, and blocks abusive content online. It combines advanced technology with human expertise to safeguard the football community.
Fifa faced criticism this summer after it seemed to reduce anti-racism messaging at the Club World Cup in the US. Despite this, the SMPS actively monitored online activity during the tournament.
A Fifa statement said, “SMPS tracked 2,401 active accounts across five social media platforms, covering players, coaches, teams, and match officials. It analyzed 5.9 million posts, flagged 179,517 for review, and reported 20,587 to the relevant platforms.”
Strong Message Against Abuse
Infantino emphasized, “Our message is clear: abuse has no place in our game. We continue to work with member associations, confederations, and law enforcement authorities to hold offenders accountable.” He added, “This behavior has no place in football or society. Fifa reports incidents and blacklists individuals from purchasing tickets for Fifa tournaments.”
Since its creation, the SMPS has reported more than 65,000 abusive posts to social media platforms, highlighting the organization’s ongoing commitment to a safe and inclusive football environment.
