FIFA Reports 30,000 Abusive Online Posts in 2025
Governing body cracks down on harassment with expanded monitoring and law-enforcement referrals
- FIFA reports over 30,000 abusive posts to social media platforms in 2025.
- 11 individuals referred to law enforcement, with one case sent to Interpol.
- SMPS monitors 5.9 million posts, flagging nearly 180,000 for review during tournaments.
FIFA has revealed that more than 30,000 abusive posts were flagged and reported to social media platforms this year as part of its ongoing efforts to combat online harassment in football.
According to the governing body’s latest report, 11 individuals were referred to law enforcement in 2025, with one case escalated to Interpol. The offenders—identified in Argentina, Brazil, France, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the US—were traced following incidents of abuse during FIFA competitions.
Marking the International Day for Tolerance, FIFA president Gianni Infantino stressed the need for a safe environment across all aspects of the sport.
“Football must be a safe and inclusive space—on the pitch, in the stands and online,” Infantino said. “Through the Fifa Social Media Protection Service (SMPS), and by deploying advanced technology and human expertise, we are taking decisive action to protect players, coaches, teams, and match officials from the serious harm caused by online abuse.”
FIFA launched the SMPS in 2022 in partnership with players’ union FIFPRO. The system monitors, reports, and in some cases blocks abusive content targeting football stakeholders.
The organisation previously faced criticism after appearing to scale back anti-racism messaging at this summer’s Club World Cup in the US, though the SMPS was actively used throughout the tournament.
A FIFA statement revealed that during the event, the SMPS monitored 2,401 active accounts across five social platforms. Of the 5.9 million posts analysed, 179,517 were flagged for review and 20,587 were reported to the relevant platforms.
Infantino reiterated FIFA’s firm stance:
“Our message is clear: abuse has no place in our game. We will continue working with member associations, confederations, and law enforcement to hold offenders accountable. This behaviour has no place in football or society, and FIFA is taking all possible steps, including blacklisting individuals from purchasing tickets for FIFA tournaments.”
Since its creation, the SMPS has reported more than 65,000 abusive posts to social media providers.
