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MPs issue national call for evidence as football faces ‘rising tide’ of online abuse.

MPs leading a parliamentary inquiry into online abuse in football have issued a nationwide call for evidence, warning that the scale and severity of harm in the digital game has reached a “critical point”.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Football is urging players, fans, clubs, journalists, academics, regulators and technology companies to submit evidence to its Online Harms Inquiry before the 17 March deadline.

The inquiry will examine abuse, threats, discriminatory content and other harmful behaviour targeting people across football, from elite professionals to grassroots volunteers, and will question whether existing laws, regulation and platform policies are fit for purpose.

Parliamentarians say they are determined to establish whether football is being adequately protected online, or whether stronger action is now required from government, regulators and technology companies.

Clive Betts, Chair of the APPG on Football, said:

“Online abuse in football has become normalised, and that should alarm all of us. We are seeing racist attacks, misogyny, homophobia and threats of violence directed at players, officials, journalists and supporters on a daily basis.

“If football reflects our society, then what is happening online is a warning sign. This inquiry is about asking whether enough is being done to prevent harm and to hold perpetrators and platforms to account.

“We want evidence from anyone with insight or lived experience. Parliament cannot ignore this issue, but we need the strongest possible evidence base to drive meaningful change.”

Inquiry timetable

6–8pm, Tuesday 24 March – Opening session: Lived experience and stakeholders
National Football Museum, Manchester

9.30–11.30am, Wednesday 15 April – Creating a safe environment
Education, research and media literacy solutions
Houses of Parliament

9.30–11.30am, Wednesday 22 April – Managing the content
Social media companies, tech platforms, Ofcom and the Football Policing Unit
Houses of Parliament

9.30–11.30am, Wednesday 29 April – Final session
Senior ministers from relevant departments and shadow teams
Houses of Parliament

The opening session in Manchester will take place at the conclusion of the first day of the Fair Game Conference. A full list of witnesses will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Matt Bishop, a member of the Inquiry team, said:

“The digital environment around football has intensified dramatically in recent years. Abuse that once might have been shouted from the terraces is now amplified globally within seconds.

“We need to understand whether regulation is working, whether enforcement is effective, and whether platforms are taking sufficient responsibility. Nothing should be off the table.

“This call for evidence is an opportunity to shape the future safety of football online.”

The APPG is particularly keen to hear from individuals with direct experience of online abuse connected to football, as well as organisations working in safeguarding, education, policing, research and technology.

Submissions must be made through the official online form by 17 March.

Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, which acts as Secretariat to the APPG, said:

“Football is one of our most powerful social institutions. But when abuse is allowed to flourish unchecked online, it damages individuals, clubs and the wider culture of the game.

“This inquiry is not about headlines, it is about solutions. If platforms, regulators or authorities are falling short, that needs to be exposed. If there are examples of good practice, they need to be strengthened.

“We are urging anyone with evidence, whether personal testimony, research, data or policy expertise, to come forward. This is a moment to turn widespread concern into concrete reform.”

The inquiry will conclude with a formal written report authored by parliamentarians and supported by the APPG Secretariat, setting out recommendations for government, regulators, football authorities and technology companies.