FIFA announced it will bar individuals who engage in online harassment and discriminatory behavior from attending football stadiums by placing their names on blacklists.
The global football governing body reiterated its commitment to eliminating discrimination and fostering respect and inclusion across the sport. The move targets the increasing issue of hate speech and cyberbullying, particularly prevalent on social media platforms.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that football must be a “safe and inclusive space” on the field, in the stands, and online. He emphasized that the organization is taking firm measures to protect players, coaches, teams, and referees from the serious harm caused by cyberbullying.
“Our message is clear: harassment has no place in our sport,” Infantino said. He added that FIFA would continue to collaborate with national and international federations, confederations, and authorities to hold offenders accountable.
These measures include reporting incidents to relevant bodies and adding individuals to blacklists, effectively preventing them from purchasing tickets to matches.
FIFA launched its social media protection service in 2022, utilizing advanced technology to monitor online activity. The service has since been responsible for reporting more than 65,000 offensive posts.
Over 30,000 of these reports were recorded this year after the mechanism underwent improvements.
Authorities have received complaints regarding 11 individuals for offenses and discriminatory conduct. These complaints were remitted to law enforcement agencies in Argentina, Brazil, Spain, the United States, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
One specific case has been referred to Interpol for further action.
The announcement coincided with International Day for Tolerance, highlighting FIFA’s ongoing effort to combat discriminatory behavior.