The darker side of women's football.
A recent FIFA report has exposed a disturbing trend of online abuse, with the United States women's national team bearing the brunt during the 2023 Women's World Cup.
FIFA's Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) sifted through a staggering 5.1 million online posts and comments, using artificial intelligence to flag abusive content. The findings revealed that one in five players across the entire tournament, not just the U.S. team, experienced targeted abuse. Homophobic, sexist, and threatening messages accounted for over half of the abusive posts.
The study further disclosed that players at the Women's World Cup were 29% more likely to be targets of online abuse compared to their male counterparts at the 2022 Men's World Cup in Qatar. The US and Argentina players were identified as receiving the highest volume of abuse, with a stunning 637 verified instances linked to the final between England and Spain.
The report, commissioned by FIFA, revealed that the USWNT, despite their formidable reputation, faced the highest frequency of online abuse during the World Cup. This revelation comes on the heels of their unexpected exit in the round of 16, suffering a shock penalty shootout defeat against Sweden.
FIFA's investigation goes beyond the team's on-field performance, highlighting that the abuse was not solely tied to match outcomes. The report pointed out that the high-profile nature of the U.S. squad, entering the tournament as back-to-back champions, made them a target for online vitriol.
The organization explained, "The profile of the USA squad, coming into the tournament as winners of the previous two tournaments, made them a target for online abuse. This was heightened by the perception of players not singing the National Anthem being called out as unpatriotic and anti-American."
What makes this revelation even more poignant is the players' vocal stance on social issues. The USWNT has been at the forefront of advocating for equal pay, confronting U.S. Soccer head-on, resulting in a groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement.
Players have also been unapologetic in their criticism of former President Donald Trump and have actively participated in anthem protests. This strong stance on and off the field has undoubtedly contributed to the online abuse faced by the team.
