English Football Authorities Partner With Police To Tackle Online Abuse

English football authorities have announced a new partnership with the UK Football Policing Unit and Ofcom aimed at strengthening the fight against online hate and abuse targeting the game.

The collaboration brings together the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, Women's Super League, Professional Footballers' Association, Kick It Out, the UK Football Policing Unit and Ofcom into a newly formed working group. The group will share intelligence and insights into the growing problem of online abuse directed at players, coaches, referees and others involved in the professional game.

United Against Hate

English football bodies have worked closely with law enforcement for several years to combat online abuse. They already monitor social media platforms across domestic leagues and competitions, reviewing abusive posts and reporting them directly to the relevant companies for action.

Serious cases are escalated to the authorities, with criminal investigations launched where necessary. Legal proceedings are pursued when posts are deemed to breach the law.

Monitoring efforts during major competitions, including the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, have resulted in thousands of posts being flagged, hidden or removed. In cases involving illegal content, evidence has been passed to police to support prosecutions.

While support systems are already in place for those targeted, football’s governing bodies say the new initiative will examine whether additional safeguards and resources can be introduced to better protect individuals affected by online hate.

Strengthening Prevention and Enforcement

The partnership aims to improve information-sharing and analysis to support preventative measures and investigations. This includes helping police pursue criminal cases and contributing to Ofcom’s policy development under the Online Safety Act, particularly around user empowerment rules for digital platforms.

Officials involved in the initiative stress that tackling online abuse requires a coordinated approach. Regulation of technology companies, education campaigns and decisive law enforcement action against offenders must work in tandem to create meaningful change.

The formation of the working group marks the latest step in English football’s ongoing effort to make the sport, and the online spaces surrounding it, safer for everyone involved.

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