Online hate and abuse in sport: a report by Ofcom in partnership with Kick it Out

Published: 16 May 2025

This report examines the experiences of online hate and abuse faced by professionals working in the sports and broadcasting sectors, and was produced by Ofcom in collaboration with Kick it Out.

Ofcom collaborated with Kick It Out, the anti-discrimination body in sport, to engage directly with people who have lived experience of online hate and abuse, to listen and learn from these experiences, and to also help us while developing measures relating to online safety. In summer and autumn 2024, we conducted seven individual interviews and nine group discussions with sportspeople, on-screen commentators, and professionals working in sport and broadcasting, recruited through Kick It Out’s network.

Content warning

This report includes details of people’s experiences of online hate and abuse. It also discusses the broader impact this content can have, including a brief discussion of disordered eating, depression and suicide.

Report

Read the full report here.

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