FIA Tackles Online Abuse in Sports with Landmark Research Initiative
October 26, 2023
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is intensifying its fight against online abuse in sports through a research-led initiative, bringing together experts and organizations to combat digital harassment and hate speech.
FIA Unites Against Online Abuse
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for world motor sport and a global federation for mobility organizations, recently hosted a important online seminar. The event, attended by over 100 FIA members and partners, highlighted the progress of the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Research Scholars and their innovative projects aimed at understanding and combating online abuse in sports.
FIA President and UAOA Founder Mohammed Ben Sulayem lauded the scholarship programme as “showcasing the very best of the FIA.” The program, funded by the FIA Foundation and conducted in collaboration with Dublin City University, features four researchers from the UK, Italy, Mexico, and South Africa. Each scholar is focused on distinct aspects of online abuse, contributing valuable data to inform global policy and practice.
The seminar drew a diverse group of FIA stakeholders, including members of the Senate, World Motor Sport Council, FIA University, Member clubs, officials, and staff.The scholars—Kimberley (United Kingdom), Maria (Italy), Ana (Mexico), and Roshni (South Africa)—presented compelling updates on their research, covering themes of gender, governance, education, and culture within the context of online abuse.
Key Research Areas
Here’s a glimpse into some of the research being conducted:
- Maria is investigating online abuse in Italian football, looking at the cultural and systemic factors that contribute to hostility.
- Roshni is analyzing governance responses to online abuse, identifying approaches used by sporting bodies and highlighting opportunities for policy innovation.
Each scholar’s project is being accredited through a Masters by Research at Dublin City University. Together, they are creating a robust evidence base to inform change across sports and digital governance worldwide. The UAOA campaign aims to translate this research into tangible solutions, collaborating with governments, sports organizations, and technology platforms.
Insights and Analysis
The rise of social media has amplified both the positive and negative aspects of sports fandom. While platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram allow fans to connect with their favorite athletes and teams, they also provide avenues for online harassment and abuse. This abuse frequently enough targets athletes based on their performance, race, gender, or other personal characteristics.
In the United States, similar issues plague professional and amateur sports leagues. As an example, NFL players have faced racial slurs and death threats on social media following controversial plays, and female athletes in the WNBA have experienced sexist and misogynistic attacks. Addressing this requires a multi-faceted approach, including stronger platform moderation, better education on online etiquette, and robust reporting mechanisms.
Consider the case of Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, who faced intense online scrutiny and racist abuse during the 2012 London olympics. This incident sparked a national conversation about the impact of online harassment on athletes’ mental health and performance. Similarly, in 2021, several Black soccer players on the English national team were subjected to racist abuse after missing penalty kicks in the euro 2020 final, highlighting the global nature of this problem.
These instances demonstrate that online abuse isn’t just an inconvenience; it can have severe psychological consequences for athletes, impacting their well-being and perhaps shortening their careers. It also deters young people from participating in sports, fearing similar treatment.Thus, initiatives like the FIA’s UAOA are crucial in creating a safer and more inclusive environment for athletes at all levels.
Quotes and perspectives
Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized the importance of the initiative:
I’m pleased that the FIA has united today to celebrate this powerful scholarship programme and to learn more about these insightful research topics. By supporting this initiative, the FIA is not only addressing the root causes of online abuse in sport but also equipping itself with the tools and strategies needed to combat it effectively. This programme exemplifies the very best of what the FIA stands for, ensuring that motorsport delivers a positive legacy and contributes to a more respectful and inclusive future for sport worldwide.
Mohammed Ben sulayem, UAOA Founder and FIA President
Dr. Gary Sinclair from Dublin City University added:
This scholarship programme is a vital step in expanding the research base on online abuse and amplifying voices from across the globe.DCU is proud to support these talented scholars and to collaborate with the FIA in producing world-leading research that will have real impact across the sporting landscape.
Dr. Gary Sinclair, Associate Dean of Internationalisation at Dublin City University
practical Applications and Recent Developments
The research generated by the UAOA program has several practical applications for sports organizations, technology platforms, and policymakers. For instance, data on the types of online abuse prevalent in different sports can inform the development of targeted moderation policies and educational campaigns. Additionally, the analysis of governance responses can help sports organizations adopt best practices for addressing online harassment and supporting affected athletes.
Recent developments in the fight against online abuse include the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and remove hateful content. Companies like Arwen.AI, which have partnered with the UAOA coalition, are developing AI-powered tools that can automatically identify and flag abusive posts on social media platforms. These tools can help reduce the burden on human moderators and ensure that harmful content is removed more quickly.
Furthermore, there is growing momentum for stronger legal frameworks to address online abuse. Several countries, including the United States, are considering legislation that would hold social media platforms accountable for the content posted on their sites. These laws could provide victims of online abuse with legal recourse and incentivize platforms to take more proactive measures to prevent harassment.
Coalition and Endorsements
The FIA’s ‘United Against Online Abuse’ (UAOA) campaign,founded by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and supported by the FIA Foundation,is a research-led coalition dedicated to tackling online abuse in sport. UAOA brings together sports federations, governments, regulatory bodies, and technology platforms to foster regulatory and behavioral changes to combat online harassment and hate speech.
To date, the UAOA coalition has received endorsements from the Governments of greece, France, Slovenia, Albania, Australia, Kenya, Costa Rica, Namibia, and Rwanda, along with sports federations and organizations like FIM, the International Esports Federation, ASETEK simsports, Peace and sport Monaco, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, Clark Hill LLP, Arwen.AI, and DCU University.
| coalition Member | Type | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Governments of Greece, France, etc. | Government | Policy Endorsement & Support |
| FIM, International Esports Federation | Sports Federation | Implementation of anti-Abuse Measures |
| UNESCO, Council of Europe | International Organization | guidance and Resources |
| arwen.AI, Clark Hill LLP | Technology & Legal | technical & Legal Expertise |
