FA Takes Proactive Step in Fight Against Online Abuse of England’s Players, Funding Police to Prosecute Haters

The Football Association (FA) has announced that they will be providing funding to the police in order to prosecute individuals who abuse England’s players on social media. This decision comes after a series of racist online abuse targeted at Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho following their performance in the Euro 2024 final.

In the past, the FA would compile data to give to the police for prosecution, but now they are funding a unit within the British police to handle the prosecution process directly. The FA is taking a proactive approach by funding the prosecution process to ensure that cases like those seen in the past are properly addressed. This funding will cost the FA around £25,000, with potential for adjustments depending on the number of prosecutions that occur.

The FA’s initiative comes as England prepares to kick off their Group C campaign in the upcoming tournament. The team will face Serbia on Sunday, followed by matches against Denmark and Slovenia later in June. The FA’s commitment to tackling online abuse and supporting their players shows a dedication to creating a safer environment for all involved in the sport.

Bullingham emphasized the importance of not only gathering evidence but ensuring that there are resources available to prosecute those responsible for online abuse. He stated that this funding will allow law enforcement agencies to take action against those who engage in hate speech or other forms of harassment towards footballers and fans alike