Landmark prosecution for online abuse of Rugby World Cup match official
Following its work at the Rugby World Cup 2023, Signify welcomed the prosecution of an individual who sent abusive messages on social media targeting a Rugby World Cup 2023 match official and members of his family. The Television Match Official (TMO) and his wife received threatening and abusive messages via Facebook during the major event in France last year.
Signify was interviewed as part of a segment on the Channel 9 show A Current Affair, which covered the prosecution in Australia. The full feature can be watched here:
Australia’s Channel Nine: “A Current Affair” News Programme covers the story.
Proactive, Protective Coverage of a Major Event
Signify’s Threat Matrix service was deployed to support all Players, Teams, Emirates Match Officials and their families, for the duration of the Rugby World Cup. This was a first-of-its-kind initiative in Rugby and delivered the following results across the tournament:
1 arrest and prosecution in Australia.
2 investigations processes in New Zealand with perpetrators interviewed extensively by national police leading to formal apologies made to the targeted Match Officials.
Evidence packs also sent to law enforcement in South Africa, France, and England.
Over 1,600 unique accounts detected sending 2,065 abusive messages targeting the players and Match Officials (all messages reported to their respective platforms)
90 per cent removal of most serious and egregious content.
More than 900 social media accounts protected, with Match officials, including TMOs, receiving 49% of total tournament abuse.
Three match officials were in the top 10 most targeted individuals of the tournament.
Evidence of a clear correlation between comments (online and offline) from players and coaches triggering online and in-ground abuse of match officials.
Nineteen teams in total received targeted abuse on their official accounts (two European nations were in the top three of most abused teams).
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Real-World Support, Action and Deterrents
Regarding the prosecution, the perpetrator was identified by Signify’s Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) team and located in Australia. At World Rugby’s request, an evidence pack was produced and shared with Queensland Police who decided to proceed with an investigation and arrest.
The perpetrator was subsequently prosecuted for one count of using a carriage service to menace or harass via online communication. World Rugby has also confirmed that it intends to take steps to bar the individual from purchasing tickets for future World Rugby owned events.
The two individuals identified in New Zealand were also extensively interviewed by Police and cautioned. One of the individuals was a youth and both were highly repentant for the distress and harm caused by their actions – with them sending letters of apologies to the targeted officials (a powerful outcome in its own right – providing some closure for the victims).
Signify’s Jake Marsh talks to New Zealand’s TV3 AM Breakfast Show about the action taken on behalf of World Rugby.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said:
“World Rugby welcomes this landmark outcome. The vile and toxic abuse is an all too common occurrence for many sports men and women and public figures, and we hope that this sends a very strong message to online trolls that such behaviour is totally unacceptable and that the sport and the authorities are prepared to take action.”
“As a result of our partnership with Signify Group we have been able to unmask and identify abusers and take action through law enforcement agencies in multiple countries. We hope that prosecutions will send a clear message that such behaviour is not tolerated and even if a person hides behind an alias on a social media network, they will be identified and can be charged.”
On-going protection
Prosecution comes as World Rugby confirms that it has extended its partnership with Signify Group whose Threat Matrix service will now monitor for abusive content targeting all World Rugby appointed men’s and women’s match officials and their families over the next three years. As the sport continues to unite to tackle online abuse, this service includes the men’s and women’s Guinness Six Nations, July and November tests.
Gilpin added:
“We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Signify Group to tackle online abuse in our sport. In addition to the support provided to our match officials, the partnership has enabled us to focus on the insights that help us better understand the triggers, tactics and threats and how best to mitigate them.”
Rugby World Cup 2023 final referee Wayne Barnes said:
“Those who abuse or threaten players, match officials or their families must realise there will be consequences for their actions. It is great to see World Rugby leading the way and seeing the first charges being made against those individuals who send such appalling messages.
“There is simply no place for that behaviour in rugby, in sport or in society.”