Football clubs and other sports organisations can harness the power of data and technology to combat online abuse of their athletes, according to an expert in employment law.
Joe McMorrow of Pinsent Masons said the rise of online abuse – particularly in sport – necessitates action from responsible employers.
McMorrow said: “Online abuse in sport has reached a crescendo this year with the social media boycott orchestrated by anti-racism charity Kick It Out and embraced widely across football. The issue reached prominence again immediately following England’s final defeat in the European Championship. Online abuse has been universally condemned and the broad issue remains one of the prominent issues in sport worldwide.”
“We know that sports organisations want to aid their players, coaches, and other staff who are the victim of online abuse. Both as a matter of sound legal management of employment law and health and safety duties, as well as doing the right thing,” he said.
While many footballers continue to ‘take the knee’ prior to kick-off in matches, the issue of abuse persists. Several prominent players have shared their experiences of online abuse in recent months.
Glen Kamara, current Rangers player and Finland international, spoke out after he was racially abused on the football pitch while playing in the Europa League in Prague.
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