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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sean Ingle in Paris

World Rugby to step up fight against online hate speech and threats

General view of the Webb Ellis Cup before a 2023 Rugby World Cup press conference.
World Rugby’s chief executive, Alan Gilpin, said: ‘Online hate simply will not be tolerated, tackling abuse and harmful content with action’. Photograph: Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

Supporters who post online hate speech or threatening messages towards players and officials at the Rugby World Cup risk being banned from domestic matches and reported to police, authorities have warned.

World Rugby said that a new deal with the data company Signify would allow it to track tweets and Instagram posts for racism, homophobia and other forms of abuse in real time – and help put an “online protective shield around all tournament match officials, players and coaches” during the tournament.

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