Police have documented 70 reports of online hate crimes aimed at match officials over the past three years, yet only one of these cases has led to any form of legal action, The i Paper has uncovered. Online hate crimes encompass a range of malicious communications designed to induce stress and anxiety, including threats, harassment, and incitement to commit violence. Many within the football community are increasingly concerned that the online vitriol directed at referees and match officials is escalating.
In January, renowned referee Michael Oliver faced severe threats against his family, including attempts to divulge his home address, following a controversial sending-off of Myles Lewis-Skelly during Arsenal’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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Investigations by the police are ongoing, as sources indicate. However, prosecuting criminal offenses stemming from online posts can be notoriously challenging. Data obtained by The i Paper reveals that out of the 70 reports submitted to the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), only 23 met the legal criteria for an offense. Alarmingly, seven of these reports originated from individuals residing outside the UK, which precluded any law enforcement action. Additionally, four cases were abandoned due to insufficient evidence to support charges.
Currently, eleven cases remain active, including several investigations into threats made against Oliver. Yet, strikingly, only one has culminated in any substantial action, which took the form of a warning and a mandatory educational program—essentially a mere slap on the wrist.
“Hate crime, whether online or in person, is intolerable, and we are dedicated to doing everything we can to combat this issue,” stated Mick Johnson, UKFPU director, in an interview with The i Paper. “As part of our ongoing efforts, we work closely with social media platforms such as Facebook and X to identify those responsible for these messages, ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.”
Martin Cassidy, the chief executive of the charity Ref Support, remarked that the blame and harassment directed at referees have become the norm within the sport. Notably, Anthony Taylor, one of the Premier League’s most esteemed referees, and his family were harassed at an airport after a video surfaced of Jose Mourinho berating him in a stadium car park following Roma’s Europa League defeat to Sevilla last year.
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Across the globe, tensions are also palpable. In Spain, Real Madrid is engaged in a contentious dispute with La Liga, accusing officials of manipulating matches against them, which has sparked calls for Spanish football to recruit Premier League referees who endure significant abuse in England. Similarly, in France, the referees’ union is pursuing legal action for defamation after Marseille president Pablo Longoria accused an official of corruption following a defeat by Auxerre.
“When you piece it all together, it creates a challenging environment for referees,” observed a source familiar with the situation. Inevitably, Longoria’s corruption allegations incited a torrent of “hate messages” and “death threats” aimed at referees, as reported by the referees’ union.
Many individuals within the refereeing community who spoke with The i Paper this week expressed their support for the UKFPU’s initiative to pursue legal action against those who cross the line with their online behavior, despite the low success rate thus far. There is a collective hope that increased action will be implemented as a deterrent against future offenses.
However, a source close to the legal process pointed out that the threshold for prosecution remains significantly high. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the organization responsible for referees in England, actively monitors instances of abuse and, when deemed appropriate, flags these incidents to the relevant authorities. Ultimately, though, the outcome lies in the hands of law enforcement and the Crown Prosecution Service.
