Following measures implemented at RWC23, other Unions and competitions are joining up to identify, block, and then prosecute online trolls who target match officials.
Last week, World Rugby confirmed to media outlets that legal processes had begun in five jurisdictions where trolls had been identified. We await news on how successful prosecutions pan out. But in the meantime, more organisations are supporting match officials in the same way.
EPCR brings in Signify
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) are working with Signify Group to protect match officials from online abuse and threats during their Champions Cup and Challenge Cup season. New Zealand Rugby alluded to similar action in their competitions.
During the EPCR season, Signify’s world-leading Threat Matrix service, which operates in 35 languages and uses AI and open-source data to monitor social media at scale. Their service will be activated to protect match officials by identifying, analysing and providing on-going support covering:
- Targeted online abuse and threats
- Immediate notification to EPCR of any identified fixated threats/inappropriate approaches
- Unmasking of abusers to enable action by EPCR and/or prosecution by law enforcement
- Identification and notification of abuse to social media platforms for action
- Analysis to identify trends and tactics to provide a clear understanding of how targeted abuse is directed at match officials and to assist with welfare
- Data and analysis that can be used for education and policy purposes
The service will also provide EPCR and match officials with support and investigations for any detected social media abuse or threats received via private Direct Messaging as well as those in public online spaces.
Signify will work alongside Theseus Risk Management to provide additional education and on-call resource to match officials experiencing issues.
Welfare of match officials a priority
Commenting on the launch of the online safety initiative, Dominic McKay, EPCR Chairman, said, “The welfare of match officials is a priority and that is why EPCR has taken the decision to put in place clear layers of protection. We saw the value of this approach during Rugby World Cup 2023 and it is important to put in place similar proactive protection measures for this season along with our partners.”
EPCR Head of Match Officials, Tony Spreadbury, added, “We have seen a concerning increase in online and offline abuse and threats targeting match officials in rugby, and we want to send the message that this is absolutely unacceptable and we will monitor this.
“Our match officials are an incredibly important part of our tournaments and we are committed to protecting them as much as we can.”
Jonathan Hirshler, CEO of Signify Group, added: “We are delighted to be supporting EPCR to protect its officials from online abuse and threats. Rugby has shown leadership and vision in this space, and we are confident that our approach will deliver real and tangible benefits for match officials who often face the most horrific abuse and threats online.”
Andrew Wolfe Murray, Director of Theseus Risk Management, commented: “This is a terrific initiative brought in by EPCR, and we are pleased to support through the Threat Matrix service. The impact of abuse, harassment and threats is all too real in sport, and we look forward to helping combat these risks through early identification, assessment and management of concerning communication, both on and offline.”
Kiwi support
Separately, New Zealand Rugby CEO, Mark Robinson met with NZ match officials and reconfirmed their backing for officials across all levels of the game in NZ, to ensure they were supported.
“It’s unacceptable and is a concerning trend in the game, there is certainly some work going on behind the scenes as to what we can do to as it relates to social media, we certainly don’t tolerate it we don’t support it.”
“We’ve got amazing match officials here in New Zealand. We’ve got a world leading group coming through at the moment that we’re massively excited about over the next four year cycle and we want to do everything we can to resource them, support them, coach them, give them all the different tools they can to be successful, both domestically and internationally.”
Speaking of their post-RWC activities, a World Rugby spokesperson said, “The authorities are beginning to take their first prosecutions thanks to this programme and It looks like we’ll be successful in taking action against the worst kind of abuse in a number of different jurisdictions.
“Constructive debate, criticism that’s fair game, that’s never going to change. This is not about muzzling free speech, it is about protecting people, their families from racial, sexual, discriminatory and threatening behaviour, including death threats, which is just not acceptable.
“People are misguided if they feel that an alias, or whatever they might have on social, protects them,” the spokesperson added. “Even if a person hides behind an alias they can be identified and charged. We want to send a clear message that such behaviour is not tolerated.
“We will continue to do everything possible to protect and support our international match officials and their families, by bringing abusers to justice.”
Comment
RugbyReferee.net commented, “It’s a real shame these measures are needed, but it’s welcome that Unions, Competitions organisers and governing bodies are investing in the wellbeing of their match officials in this way. We know this isn’t limited to match officials with players, coaches and administrators all impacted in the same way. As a society, we have to stop all match official abuse, whether online, or around our rugby pitches, and recognise the role of referees, ARs, TMOs and our off-field support networks in ensuring rugby takes place around the world. The old adage is true – no referee, no game.”