Sports Research | Online Harms

Online abuse deters athletes, federation employees, volunteers and fans. It makes sport nasty, diluting the power of sport to inspire, unite and motivate billions of people across the globe.

As sport goes online, people representing different nations, sporting loyalties, socio-political ideologies, demographic and cultural backgrounds access sports stories, sports teams and athletes. Facts become distorted by context, perspectives, opinions and biases. Online engagement becomes inflammed and people in sport become victims of cyberbulllying, online harassment, online hate and, at the extreme, hate crime. To what end?

This reseach, funded by the FIA Foundation and enabled through its United Against Online Abuse in Sport campaign, aims to gather primary evidence to support the evolution of sports governance so that sports continues to be enjoyed by all, with fair play competition and healthy online banter. Join the combat - Play Your Part.