World Rugby to take a stand with ‘groundbreaking’ plan to protect players from online abuse

World Rugby have announced an extended partnership with Signify Group to protect players, match officials and coaches competing at the upcoming 2025 Rugby World Cup from online abuse.

The governing body partnered with the company for the 2023 edition in France, and that is now set to be extended to the women’s game as part of World Rugby’s ‘Impact Beyond 2025’ scheme.

World Rugby to protect players from online abuse at World Cup

The upcoming tournament in England is set to be a generational moment for the women’s game, similar to that of the 2022 European Championships in women’s football, but World Rugby says that increased visibility could lead to online abuse.

Research indicates female players and match officials are 30% more likely to experience abuse than their male counterparts, while the UK is also the largest originator of online abuse towards officials and players.

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As part of the partnership, World Rugby will adopt an action-oriented approach, with Signify’s Threat Matrix service set to monitor social media platforms to detect and report abuse and enable real-world actions such as fines, stadium bans and, in the worst cases that pass the criminal threshold, potential prosecution. 

It is also a key pillar of the ‘Impact Beyond 2025’ scheme and offers insights into the trends, triggers, and potential mitigations for online abuse.

Commenting on the news, World Rugby Chief of Women’s Rugby, Sally Horrox, said: “Every player and official deserves to feel safe and respected. This new service is a clear signal that we will not tolerate abuse and we are committed to creating an environment where women in rugby can thrive without fear.

“Rugby has always been about respect and the launch of the Social Media Protection Service ensures that we hold people to account. Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will shine a global spotlight on the women’s game. We are proud to stand behind our players and officials – this is about leading with action.”

World Rugby Chief Communications Officer, Dominic Rumbles, added: “Our extended collaboration with Signify Group is a testament to our dedication to combating online hate. We recognise the impact that toxic online behaviours can have on individuals and are determined to provide the necessary support and protection.”

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