Challenges in Tackling Online Abuse in UK Football

Mike Ankers, deputy director of the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), has reported a significant decline in the ability to secure identifying information from the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk. Ankers stated that there has been a "massive drop-off" in successful prosecutions related to online abuse in 2025, attributing this decline to X's legal processes that hinder timely access to user information. He explained that while X has never outright refused requests for identifying information, the process has become cumbersome, often taking 12 to 18 months to navigate. This delay is particularly problematic given the typical six-month window available for investigating online abuse cases.

The Guardian

Ankers highlighted that other social media platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, and Meta, have been more cooperative, providing requested information in less than a month. He noted that X's reliance on a "mutual legal assistance treaty" complicates matters, as requests for UK users are referred to U.S. courts, where different laws apply. Ankers remarked, "I can only say that the last 12 months have been significantly worse," indicating a deterioration in X's responsiveness.

The Guardian

Anna Zizola, EU Public Policy affairs lead at X, countered Ankers' claims by asserting that the company has always complied with police requests for information. She stated, “We have nothing to gain from having abusers on the platform,” and mentioned that over 1.8 million pieces of content violating abuse and harassment rules were acted upon globally in the first half of 2025.

The Guardian

The issue of online abuse in football has prompted calls for a more unified approach among various stakeholders. Jodie Luker, an online safety analyst, emphasized the need for the Football Association (FA) to take charge and implement a systemic approach across all levels of the sport. In response, an FA spokesperson reiterated the organization's commitment to combating online abuse, stating, “Online abuse has no place in our game or in wider society.”

The Guardian

Experts at a recent meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Football expressed a consensus that more could be done to address online harms within the sport. The lack of a coordinated strategy among leagues, clubs, and governing bodies was identified as a significant barrier to effecting meaningful change.

The Guardian

The challenges faced by the UK Football Policing Unit in prosecuting online abuse underscore the complexities of navigating legal frameworks and the varying levels of cooperation from social media platforms. As stakeholders call for a more unified approach, the effectiveness of current strategies remains under scrutiny, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform in tackling online abuse in football.

The Guardian

• “Speaking about X’s practices, he said, “They’ve never refused [a request for identifying information] but they have a process in place which they hide behind, in terms of the information is in America where they have slightly different laws.” — Mike Ankers, Deputy Director, UK Football Policing Unit

The Guardian

• “8m pieces of content breaching our abuse and harassment rules globally.” — Anna Zizola, EU Public Policy Affairs Lead, X

The Guardian

• “The FA needs to take charge” — Jodie Luker, Online Safety Analyst

The Guardian

• “ In response to these remarks, an FA spokesperson told the Guardian: “Online abuse has no place in our game or in wider society.” — FA Spokesperson

The Guardian