Rugby Union: Female players are 69% more likely to be victims of online abuse than males

According to World Rugby’s findings, female rugby players experience 69% more social media abuse than their male counterparts.

Misogyny, gender identity, sexism and body-lamming are the most common forms of abuse.

Eight cases were referred to law enforcement agencies and platforms to focus on action.

Online harassment of female athletes is a growing problem Tennis player Katie Boulter And Georgia Evans of Wales is number eight who spoke about the issue.

“Social media has transformed sport for the better, enabling connection, storytelling and growth,” said Alan Gilpin, chief executive of World Rugby.

“But it also increases the risk of harm, stress and suffering, and we took a stand at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 that hate has no place in rugby or society, that we stand up and celebrate the individuality and diversity of our players and match officials, and that we will take all necessary steps to call out, identify and take action against abusers.”

During the World Cup, Evans revealed that he was suffering Negative comments about her appearance.

American international Ilona Maher is the world’s most followed rugby player, but she admits the “abuse is constant” on social media.

World Rugby revealed that out of 440,000 posts analyzed, 1,189 met the illegal threshold.

The perpetrators of the eight cases are located in Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States.

The governing body called on governments, platforms and sports to work together to facilitate reporting of abuse at all levels, take appropriate action and drive positive change.