Title: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team Faces Online Abuse During World Cup: A Toxic and Un healthcare Environment
The Women's World Cup saw an alarming surge of online abuse targeted at the U.S. women's soccer team, with North and Central America emerging as the primary origin of these vitriolic comments. This escalation occurred following their heart-wrenching elimination in the round of 16 after a thrilling Elfmeterschießen against Sweden. Despite supportive messages from prominent figures like US-President Joe Biden, the team's players faced a torrent of hostile comments.
Data from FIFA and FIFPRO, the global players' union, revealed that 67% of the harmful messages during the tournament originated from North and Central America. The FIFA Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) - which employs artificial intelligence and analyzed 5.1 million posts in 35 different languages to shield 697 players and coaches from viewing the malicious content - was implemented to shield players at subsequent international tournaments.
Sadly, five out of the 32 participating team members faced discriminatory and malicious messages, with homophobic, sexually abusive, and sexist content making up the majority of these comments across various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, acknowledged the unacceptability of harassment and threats in digital spaces when he stated, "there is no room for anyone to insult or threaten players, either in FIFA competitions or elsewhere".
The Women's World Cup final between Spain and England also had an uptick in sexual misconduct and sexist remarks, majorly prompted by an unwanted kiss from Luis Rubiales on the World Cup-winning Jennifer Hermoso. The ongoing problem of online harassment affecting soccer players worldwide has become an indeniable issue that cannot be disregarded.
Contextual Insights:
- The investigation copped by the U.S. Soccer Federation into the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2022 revealed systemic failures in addressing reports and evidence of misconduct, thereby contributing to a toxic and abusive culture within the league.
- High-profile incidents, like the cases involving former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar and multiple instances in FIFA women's soccer, serve to underscore the severity and widespread nature of sexual abuse and harassment in sports.
- Moreover, social media trends show a concerning prevalence of homophobic, sexual, and misogynistic content across social media platforms that contributes to the cyber harassment of female athletes.
The industry of soccer, responsible for the welfare of its players, must take a more active and proactive stance in protecting them from online harassment and fostering a healthier, more respectful environment for all.
