Rugby: procedures launched for cyberharassment against referees of the 2023 World Cup

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: FRANCK FIFE / AFP 6:26 p.m., January 31, 2024

Legal proceedings have been launched in several countries for acts of cyberharassment against referees who officiated during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, World Rugby announced on Wednesday. “Legal proceedings have been taken in Australia, and legal proceedings are currently underway in various jurisdictions”, thanks to a reporting service set up during the World Cup in France, explained the international rugby body in a press release.

Thanks to a partnership with Signify Group, a company that notably uses AI to protect individuals against online abuse, "more than 900 accounts were monitored during the tournament, and more than 1,600 abusive accounts were reported to the platforms, leading to the removal of 90% of the most serious content,” World Rugby said.

The target of 49% of recorded abuses

During the World Cup in France, referees were the target of 49% of the abuse recorded and they and their families were also victims of abuse via private direct messages, leading to the intervention of law enforcement, according to the press release. “The rise of online hatred in society and sport is worrying and completely unacceptable and we will continue to do everything possible to protect and support our international match officials and their families by bringing attackers to justice,” said the World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin.

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The body has also decided to extend its partnership with Signify Group “to protect international match officials operating during men’s and women’s competitions in 2024”. “We hope that the legal action will send a clear message that such behavior is not tolerated,” added Alan Gilpin. “Those who harass or threaten players, match officials or their families must understand that their actions will have consequences,” underlined referee Wayne Barnes, himself a victim of cyberharassment after officiating during the 2023 World Cup final. won (12-11) by South Africa against New Zealand.

The Englishman announced his retirement a few days after the end of the World Cup. “This behavior simply has no place in rugby, in sport or in society,” added the man who suffered a third of the online insults recorded during the World Cup.