In a recent case in Australia, a rugby fan appeared in court for harassing a match official on social media during a World Cup match last year. Aaron Isaia, originally from New Zealand, admitted to using online communication to menace or harass Irish Television Match Official (TMO) Brian MacNeice and his family during a match between England and Samoa.
The 22-year-old was not convicted but was given a 12-month good behavior bond and fined A$1,000 ($660.50). World Rugby’s chief executive Alan Gilpin expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, calling it a “landmark outcome” that sends a strong message against online abuse towards sports personalities.
World Rugby had partnered with an information services company, Signify, to monitor social media abuse of officials and players during the World Cup. Signify identified and reported 1,600 accounts for breaching community guidelines throughout the tournament.
In January, it was revealed that a person in Australia had been charged with online abuse, and similar cases in other countries were being pursued as a result of the monitoring efforts. Gilpin emphasized the importance of the partnership with Signify in addressing online abuse in sports.
“We are pleased to continue working with Signify Group to combat online abuse in our sport,” Gilpin stated. “In addition to supporting our match officials, this partnership helps us gain insights into the triggers, tactics, and threats of online trolls and how to best handle them.”
It is a known fact that sports personalities and public figures often face vile and toxic abuse on social media platforms. World Rugby’s efforts to address this issue are a significant step towards creating a safer online environment for everyone involved in the sport.
The fine imposed on Isaia for his online behavior serves as a warning to others who engage in similar conduct. World Rugby hopes that this case sets a precedent for holding individuals accountable for their online actions towards sports officials and players.
The partnership with Signify has allowed World Rugby to gather valuable insights that will help in better understanding and mitigating online abuse in the future. The organization remains committed to ensuring the safety and respect of all individuals associated with the sport.
By taking a stand against online abuse, World Rugby is sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. The collaboration with Signify and the legal action taken against Isaia demonstrate the sport’s proactive approach towards addressing social media harassment and ensuring a positive online environment.
As the sporting community continues to tackle issues of online abuse, World Rugby’s efforts in this regard are commendable and set a precedent for other sports organizations to follow in combatting cyberbullying and harassment.
($1 = 1.5140 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
