GLOBAL – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has significantly intensified its campaign against online abuse, announcing on Sunday, November 16, 2025, that individuals responsible for severe online harassment will be blacklisted from purchasing tickets to any future FIFA tournaments. This measure adds tangible, real-world penalties to the governing body's expanding digital safety protocols, aiming to shield players, officials, and teams from discriminatory and threatening behaviour on social media platforms.

The announcement, timed to coincide with the International Day for Tolerance, is the latest enhancement to FIFA's Social Media Protection Service (SMPS), a system launched in 2022 in partnership with FIFPRO, the global players' union. According to a FIFA statement, the service has identified and reported over 65,000 abusive posts to social media companies since its inception, with a surge of more than 30,000 posts flagged in 2025 alone.

The SMPS employs a combination of artificial intelligence and human analysis to monitor, detect, and report harmful content. It can also proactively hide abusive comments from being seen by the intended recipient and their followers. “Our message is clear: abuse has no place in our game, and we will continue to work with our Member Associations, the confederations and law-enforcement authorities to hold offenders accountable,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated on Sunday.

Real-World Consequences and Legal Action

Beyond the ticket bans, FIFA is increasingly referring the most egregious cases to law enforcement. In 2025, 11 individuals from countries including Argentina, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States have been reported to their national authorities for online abuse during FIFA competitions. One case has been escalated to Interpol for international investigation, signalling a more aggressive approach to cross-border online harassment.

The effectiveness of the SMPS was highlighted during the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. During the tournament, the service monitored over 2,400 active accounts, analysing 5.9 million posts. This surveillance resulted in nearly 180,000 posts being flagged for review and over 20,000 being formally reported to social media platforms for action.

Implications for Kenya and East Africa

While the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has not issued a public statement specifically on these enhanced FIFA measures, the initiative arrives at a critical time for the region's football community. Kenyan players, officials, and fans are not immune to the global trend of increased online toxicity. The SMPS, which FIFA confirmed in June 2025 is permanently available to all 211 member associations, presents a vital tool for FKF to safeguard its stakeholders.

FKF has previously taken steps to address related integrity and safety issues. In January 2025, the federation issued a strong statement condemning the harassment and physical assault of match officials during domestic league games and initiated disciplinary proceedings. Furthermore, in March 2021, FKF launched an integrity action plan in line with FIFA and CAF regulations, aimed at educating club officials on detecting and preventing vices like match manipulation. These domestic initiatives align with the principles behind FIFA's global crackdown.

The new FIFA measures offer a potential pathway for FKF to escalate protection for Kenyan football figures. By leveraging the SMPS, the federation could monitor and report abuse directed at Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets players during international duty, as well as officials participating in CAF and FIFA-sanctioned events. The prospect of ticket bans and law enforcement referrals provides a significant deterrent that local federations can now point to in their efforts to promote a safer and more respectful environment, both online and offline.

The broader issue of player welfare in Kenya has been a subject of concern. A 2017 report by FIFPRO highlighted instances of player mistreatment by local clubs. While focused on contractual issues, the report underscored the vulnerability of players. In the current digital age, this vulnerability extends to the online sphere, where abuse can have severe impacts on mental health and performance, with studies showing it can lead to anxiety, depression, and even early retirement. FIFA's robust stance provides a framework for member associations like Kenya to build upon, ensuring that protecting players from all forms of abuse—be it contractual, physical, or digital—is a top priority.