Female players and match officials nearly 70 per cent likelier to receive online abuse

World Rugby have found that female players and match officials are 69 per cent more likely to experience online abuse than their male counterparts.

At Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, the governing body partnered with Signify Group to create the Social Media Protection Service – which formed part of the Impact Beyond 2025 programme – geared towards the protection and support of players and match officials.

The project was World Rugby’s most ambitious online safeguarding programme and included real-world investigation, a victim-centred processes and long-term insight to support policy development.

It was found, in contract to Rugby World Cup 2023, that players and officials were nearly 70 per cent more likely to receive abuse. Abuse focused on body shaming, transphobia and sexism.

In total 440,340 posts and comments from X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok were analysed for abuse and threats that targeted players and officials. 1,189 of these posts were verified as abusive. Eight cases have been referred to law enforcement and social media platforms.

With social media recognised as a vehicle for player brand growth, particularly in the realm of women’s rugby, World Rugby have called on governments, social media platform and other sporting governing bodies to take appropriate, and proactive, action against online abuse.

Alan Gilpin, World Rugby Chief Executive, said: “Social media has transformed sport for the better, enabling connection, storytelling and growth.

“But it also increases the risk of harm, stress and suffering, and we took a stand at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 to say that there is no place for hate in rugby or in society, that we stand with and celebrate the personality and diversity of our players and match officials, and will take all necessary steps to call out, locate and take action against abusers.

“We recognise that this is an incredibly challenging and complex area. Policing harmful behaviour at scale is difficult, legislation varies globally and platform thresholds for action remain high.

“That is why leadership, collaboration and real-world action are essential. We hope that this report and our findings will help inform and educate sports rights owners, platforms and authorities and drive meaningful action.”

World Rugby expanded the programme at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 to also include coaches and families. It is hoped by the governing body that the Social Media Protection Service can provide other sports with a guideline for protecting their athletes and match officials from abuse. The programme has continued to cover Emirates World Rugby Match Officials.