Footballers subjected to rampant homophobic, racist abuse
mambaonline.comA new report published by FIFA has found that professional footballers are faced with a shocking amount of homophobic and racist abuse on social media. The independent report is based on the use of artificial intelligence to track over 400,000 posts on social media platforms during the semi-finals and finals stage of UEFA EURO 2020 and CAF African Cup of Nations 2021.
It found that 55 percent of players received some form of discriminatory abuse, with much of that abuse coming from the players’ home nation.
Homophobic (40 per cent) and racist (38 per cent) comments provided the majority of the abuse. “Unfortunately, there is a trend developing where a percentage of posts on social media channels directed towards players, coaches, match officials and the teams themselves is not acceptable, and this form of discrimination – like any form of discrimination – has no place in football,” commented FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
In January, gay Australian footballer Josh Cavallo – who came out in October 2021 – spoke out after he was on the receiving end of homophobic abuse from the crowd during a match.
